Dear Frankie [2004]

The story unfolds in emotionally difficult turns without ever flinching, flagging or losing confidence in either itself or the controversial subject matter. This is achieved by superb casting and wonderfully robust performances all round where the spoken word is often of secondary importance to the subtler atmospheric facets of each interpersonal relationship. The material in terms of contemporary sociology is totally relevant and as such Dear Frankie is a worthy British (Scottish) film which is thought-provoking, intelligent and real. Whilst some of the "solutions" Lizzie reaches maybe unlikely, it should not detract from the underlying message which is nothing more instinctive and fundamental than 'what is a mother to do'?


Something different offered by the British movie industry   June 3, 2007
P. DATTA (Stockton on Tees, Teesside)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Dear Frankie is something different to watch compared to the typical British movies we are accustomed too. As a movie, it is highly emotionally touching and moving, where you feel sympathy and empathy for characters featured in the plot. The movie is set in small Scottish seaside town. The setting of the movie really blends in with the story.

The movie must be highly praised for the strong storyline and characterisation. Without revealing too much away, the movie is about a nine year old lad who is a really remarkable character as he is deaf, but is really intelligence. Does he discover the truth about his father? His mother (Emily Mortimer) goes to great length to protect the truth, but later meets a man (Gerard Butler) who acts as a fake father, not a natural father. That the general gist of the story.

Britain boosts quality acting talent in the form of Emily Mortimer and Gerard Butler who really know how to act to the highest standard. The performance provided here, really add credibility and solidarity to the characters featured in the plot. You kind of feel genuine sympathy for the life misfortunes of the characters.

Dear Frankie is a fresh of breath air. It has a great story that maintains strong interest. It does not share the humour which we associate strongly with British movies. The outlook of life can be described a little bit more pessimistic. Dear Frankie clearly justifies the UK film industry can offer variety and quality movie to viewers. This movie is worth watching, as it different, but a really good movie to watch for it dramatisation and it contrasting outlook of life compared to other British movies.


Beautiful and touching   October 13, 2005
Dorie
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I will not start with the usual plot synopsis, as other reviewers have already done that. I will just say that this is a beautiful and touching film, brought to us by a very talented cast. The nine year old boy playing Frankie, Jack McElhone, is just amazing. As the director, Shona Auerbach points out, since this is a silent part (Frankie is deaf), all of Frankie's acting has to be done through body language and facial expression. And Jack does this superbly. You hardly realizes he does not speak throughout the movie, since his face and his gestures speak so much and convey so many emotions.

The relationship between Frankie and the stranger who is hired by his mother to play his father for one day is very believable and very moving. The stranger, a sceptic at the outset, becomes emotionally involved and while at first he does not think much of Frankie's mother for doing this, ends up respecting her and so do we, the audience. Personally, I felt I did not like Frankie's mother at first, as her motives seem unclear. We learn about her motives with the stranger, and that's when my sympathy shifted.

I was also particularly impressed by the stranger's emotion in the scene where he meets Frankie: he needs to be believable, and he is very tense wondering if he has done well. I felt the tension with him. Gerald Butler is wonderful, looking handsome, tall, and reassuring, the father figure Frankie really needs.

There are so many touching moments I will let you discover for yourselves, as I don't want to spoil it for you. I will just say that the entire movie is full of twists and turns, much more than you'd expect. In the second half a surprise awaits in virtually every scene to the very end , and I also cried at virtually every one of these scenes.

"Dear Frankie" is filmed in Scotland, and features some beautiful scenery. I also enjoyed listening to the Scottish accent used throughout the film.

The additional material includes the director's commentary, to which I have not listened yet, an interview with the director, which I found quite interesting, and some deleted scenes, one of which at least actually reveals some insight into one of the minor characters. I'm thinking it's particularly clever to cut such a scene in the official release, and then add it to the deleted scenes section on the DVD, although I'm not sure this was intentional.

I enjoyed the movie, and I'll certainly want to rewatch it. Even though I now know about all the twists and turns in the plot, it will actually be interesting to follow the range of emotion displayed by this talented cast with all this pre-knowledge in mind.


Fantastic   June 2, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

If you are going to see one film this year, make it this one. Superbly filmed, it is a heartwarming story which is incredibly moving. I don't want to give away anything in the plot, but this is a definite to add to your film collection.


One of the best Scottish films...   September 4, 2005
Amelia (Arbroath, Scotland)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Dear Frankie was a beautiful film. It had a really touching storyline, without being too much of a chick flick. The scenery was stunning, and the soundtrack fitted into the film so well, without being overwhelming.The acting was spot on, and you genuinely feel for the characters.

The ending was excellent, and somewhat unexpected...but only added to how good it is. I would recommend this to anyone who wanted to watch a really good film, that leaves you feeling positive and happy at the end.