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34 pages 1 hour read

The Flick

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2014

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Book Brief

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Annie Baker

The Flick

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2014
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Massachusetts • 2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2014

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Flick by Annie Baker is a two-act play set in a run-down movie theater in suburban Worcester County, Massachusetts, following the evolving workplace relationships of three underpaid employees—Sam, a man in his mid-thirties; Rose, a young female projectionist; and Avery, a black college student—as they navigate their lives and identities while performing mundane, repetitive tasks.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Unnerving

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.3

5,125 ratings

78%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Flick by Annie Baker has received widespread acclaim for its authentic dialogue and deep character development. Critiques mention the play's deliberate pace, which some find slow but others appreciate for its realism. Set in a run-down theater, it poignantly explores themes of mundane life and human connection. The naturalistic style may not be for everyone, but it offers a profound, introspective experience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Flick?

Readers who relish contemplative, character-driven narratives will appreciate Annie Baker's The Flick. Fans of introspective works like Thornton Wilder's Our Town or Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot will find resonance in its exploration of mundane lives and unspoken connections, set against the backdrop of a small-town movie theater.

4.3

5,125 ratings

78%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Sam

A white man in his mid-thirties wearing a Boston Red Sox cap, he has been employed the longest at the theater but often finds himself overlooked for promotions. Sam deeply values his job and has a broad knowledge of film.

An African-American college student with glasses, known for his extensive love and knowledge of film, he works part-time at the theater. Avery is thoughtful, intelligent, and keenly aware of racial dynamics in his workplace interactions.

A college student with green hair who works as the projectionist, making her a step above Sam and Avery in the hierarchy of the theater. She appears confident and enjoys projecting a cool, aloof image.

A transient figure who disrupts the routine by lingering and sleeping in the theater until the end of the credits, apologizing when awoken by Sam.

A new employee likely hired to replace Avery, possessing previous theater experience with a modern digital cinema, highlighting Sam's sense of job insecurity. He is immediately familiar with the tasks required in the theater.

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Massachusetts • 2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2014

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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