Nick Flynn is an aspiring writer who works at a homeless shelter where his estranged father Jonathan stays.

The stress of seeing his father again drives Nick to drink heavily and abuse drugs, costing him his relationship with his girlfriend and coworker, Denise.

He invites Jonathan to his poetry reading, where he introduces his father to his wife and infant daughter.

The site's critical consensus reads "Robert De Niro gives a sincere, gripping performance, but Being Flynn is an uneasy mix of drama and comedy that fails to emotionally resonate as a whole.

[4][5] Roger Ebert stated that "to summon up his most iconic role must represent De Niro's faith in this film".