Flora & Ulysses - 2021

Movie Info
Rating: PG
Age-appropriateness: very family friendly; a young girl navigates life with separated parents; a blind character is used as comic relief (somewhat insensitively)
Overview: The adventures of a young girl and a squirrel with superpowers. Flora is a very cynical young girl who is navigating a world where her parents are separated and discouraged. When she meets Ulysses the squirrel, her life and her outlook change drastically.
Themes: superheroes, family, friendship, purpose, cynicism, hope, imagination, reconciliation, vulnerability, death/grieving
The Quick 3
Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.
1. Cynicism & hope. Would you describe yourself as cynical? How hopeful are you that everything will work out okay in life?
Flora describes herself as "cynical". She says she doesn't look at life as positive and hopeful as other people. She's not always sure that things will work out for good in the end. Flora says, "Cynics don't hope. They see what's real." She'd go on to say how hard it is to watch people who don't have any hope, or others who have lost their hope.
2. Purpose. What do you think your life purpose is? Why do you think God put you on this Earth?
Flora's dad was a comic book writer. But many of his characters never got published. This made him lost his courage. Flora says that this made her dad lose his purpose. We each have a purpose: a unique way to reflect God's character and to make an impact on the world.
Here's an article on How to Talk to Your Child About Thheir Purpose.
3. Superheroes. How do you think Jesus lived out His purpose? How do you think He saves people who are in need?
Flora explains: "All superheroes are different, but they all come to us with the same purpose: to save those in need." She goes on to say that "a true superhero will risk everything to save the world He loves." Jesus came to Earth with a very important purpose that sounds very similar. Luke 19:10 says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." Jesus has a mission to save people that are far from God, so they can be in God's family and live with Him forever in heaven!
After The Movie Discussion Guide
Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.
1. Flora explains: "All superheroes are different, but they all come to us with the same purpose: to save those in need." She goes on to say that "a true superhero will risk everything to save the world He loves." Jesus came to Earth with a very important purpose that sounds very similar. Luke 19:10 says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." Jesus has a mission to save people that are far from God, so they can be in God's family and live with Him forever in heaven! How do you think Jesus lived out His purpose? How do you think He saves people who are in need?
Here's an article on How to Talk to Your Child About Thheir Purpose.
2. Flora describes herself as "cynical". She says she doesn't look at life as positive and hopeful as other people. She's not always sure that things will work out for good in the end. Flora says, "Cynics don't hope. They see what's real." She'd go on to say how hard it is to watch people who don't have any hope, or others who have lost their hope. Would you describe yourself as cynical? How hopeful are you that everything will work out okay in life?
3. Flora says that her family used to be filled with "magic and wonder". Now, her parents are separated and they are both very discouraged. Flora's life doesn't have the same "magic and wonder" that it used to. Do you ever feel like your life isn't quite full of "magic and wonder" like it used to? What changed?
4. George gets the advice to "turn back" and to check on the people that you love. It's easy to go through life only focused on our desires and our hopes and our goals. But one of the most fulfilling parts of life is our relationship with others. Philippians 2:4 says, "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." How often do you "turn back" to check on the people you love? Do you ever get wrapped up in your own world that you lose focus on the people around you?
Minute By Minute Guide
Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.
:03 Flora says that some people live life like a comic book: filled with wonder, where miraculous things happen, and where families stay together. Flora, however, doesn't view the world that way. She thinks that superheroes don't really exist in real life. Do you ever view the world like a comic book? Or do you look at things more like Flora?
:09 Flora's dad was a comic book writer. But many of his characters never got published. This made him lost his courage. Flora says that this made her dad lose his purpose. We each have a purpose: a unique way to reflect God's character and to make an impact on the world. What do you think your life purpose is? Why do you think God put you on this Earth?
Here's an article on How to Talk to Your Child About Thheir Purpose.
:20 Flora discovers that the unassuming squirrel has transformed into a superhero named Ulysses! She explains to Ulysses that all superheroes need a purpose. She also tries to identify his enemies, and offers to be his sidekick. Who would you consider your enemies in life? How can you support other friends to help them live out their purpose?
:35 Flora asks her dad if cynical people shouldn't hope, but rather just observe the world around them. Her dad replies, "Maybe it's okay to hope." Faith refers to believing in the things we hope for. It's trusting that, even though we can't always know what's going to happen in life, God loves us and has a big plan for our life. Hebrews 11:1 defines "faith" when it says, "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." What things do you hope for? How would you describe the faith you have?
:44 Flora's dad quits his job when it starts to significantly interfere with his relationship with his family. He understands that working is really important, but it should never be more important than his family. Is there anything in your life that you've made more important than your family? Is there something that you care about more than your loved ones?
:54 George tells Phyllis that he will always care for her and will always want her to do well, no matter what. His love for Phyllis is unconditional. The greatest, most unconditional, love that has ever existed is the love that God has for us. 1 John 4:8 says, "But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." Jesus loves you so much that He gave up His life for you! How often do you show unconditional love - meaning, that you love someone no matter what they do and no matter what happens?
:56 Flora's dad tells his daughter, "sometimes it's easier to draw a superhero than act like one." He finds it difficult to open up and to be vulnerable with his wife, telling her how he really feels. What makes it so hard to act like a superhero? Why is it so hard to do the right thing sometimes?
1:05 William shares with Flora that he's going through a really hard time. His dad died, and he's struggling in his relationship with his mom's new husband. What do you think William must be feeling right now? When you have really big feelings, so you have someone you can talk to, in order to process your emotions?
Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Death/Grieving.
1:19 When George is falling off the building, and there's nothing he can do to save himself, Ulysses jumps in and saves the day. Flora says, "the world is full of injustice and there are always more people who need saving." Ephesians explains that, because of our sin, we are separated from God and there's nothing we can do to make it right. We need saving. Ephesians 2 says, "Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins...But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)" What is the "bad news" about our sin? Because God loved us so much, what did He do to save us?