Dear Frankie

As this story unravels it becomes clear that it's not going to offer anything out of the ordinary and that's to the films benefit because it's strength comes from the performances of it's actors. Story starts out with Lizzie Morrison (Emily Mortimer) who is the mother of 9 year old Frankie (Jack McElhone) and along with her mother Nell (Mary Riggans) they keep moving from city to city so that Frankie's abusive father cannot find them. Frankie is deaf and doesn't know about his real father because Lizzie has told him that his father is part of a crew on a ship called the Accra and is always away at sea. *****SPOILER ALERT***** Frankie writes to his father through a post office box that Lizzie has set up so that she can intercept his letters and write back to him herself. One day a real ship called the Accra comes into port and Frankie hopes that he will meet his father so now Lizzie tries to find a stranger to become him and her friend Marie (Sharon Small) sets up a meeting with a man she knows. Lizzie meets the stranger (Gerard Butler) and they agree to the arrangement that he will pretend to be Frankie's father in return for money but after spending time with the Morrison's the stranger starts to care for them. Director Shona Auerbach makes her debut with this film and she shows good instincts and patience with her actors especially the scenes between Mortimer and Butler. One stands out in particular and it's the scene where the two actors stand in a doorway and just look at one another and one can't help but think that these two characters are feeling the exact same thing for one another. For the most part there are no surprises in the script by Andrea Gibb but the film comes across as surprisingly effective in it's straightforward manner which also allows for the actors to each have strong moments. I was one of those who thought Butler was terribly dull in "The Phantom of the Opera" but he makes up for it here in a nicely played quiet performance that makes me want to see him again. For me this film works especially well due to the performance of Mortimer who has slowly developed into a good actress over the years and though she has no formal training her honest and natural persona shine through. This isn't a film that will tug at your heart nor will it make you scream for Academy Award nominations but it's a story that (for the most part) excels in it's simplicity and gives it's actors the chance to expose some true emotions.

In Scotland, Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) is constantly moving from town to town with her nine year old son Frankie (Jack McElhone) and her mother Nell (Mary Riggans) escaping from her husband. Frankie is a very intelligent deaf boy, and the protective Lizzie invented that his father is a sailor of the vessel "A.C.C.R.A", traveling though the most different countries and permanently writing to Frankie, telling his adventures. Frankie tracks the route of the vessel in a map, and when the vessel is scheduled to arrive in their coastal town, Lizzie decides to hire a stranger (Gerard Butler) to act as if he were Frankie's father for one day. "Dear Frankie" is a touching simple but unforgettable story. Everything is perfect in this little gem: the screenplay tells a wonderful and realistic story, without clichés and the commercial or corny end of most of Hollywood productions; the direction is sharp and precise, exploring the best from the excellent cast; the fragile and gorgeous Emily Mortimer is amazing in the role of a protective mother, capable to sacrifice her life to give a dream to her young son; the boy Jack McElhone has a great performance and shows that he is a promising star; the always perfect Gerard Butler is one of the most underrated actors in cinema industry. I am a great fan of Emily Mortimer and Gerard Butler, but I believe their performances are topnotch in this film. If you like statistics, 90% of IMDb reviews loved this movie, and only 9 comments in 145 total hated it. It seems to be a movie made with love about unconditional love. My vote is nine. Title (Brazil): "Querido Frankie" ("Dear Frankie")

Like all the best stories, this one is simple and affecting. There's not a lot in Lizzie and Frankie's lives to aspire to, constantly on the move and clearly in fear of something. All Lizzie wants is to give Frankie the life he deserves, and in the process she sacrifices her own comforts and happiness. The letters Frankie receives from his 'Dad' (written by Lizzie) afford him the comfort and release of imagining far-away adventures and his replies speak to Lizzie in a clear voice which Frankie's deafness denies him in real life. The prospect of meeting his father, when his ship comes to town, is Frankie's dream - at last the chance to meet the exotic and mysterious man who loves him so much - and Lizzie's completely unexpected nightmare. How they deal with it, more together than they realise at first, is the heart of the film. Having painted the slightly depressing picture of a mother and son caught in a life which they wouldn't have chosen for themselves, the film runs the risk of mawkish sentimentality to achieve a satisfying conclusion. This, of course, would only appeal to the most sweet-toothed romantics in the audience. But the film's skill in involving the viewer makes for a rewarding experience and the danger of tears being shed by even the most hard-hearted who see it.

This was one of the best films I have seen for many years. The photography is absolutely marvellous; it hardly needs anything else. The acting is restrained, measured and true. I couldn't get much better than this. It is true that it is emotionally laden but it is not all sadness, there is also humour, affection, and most importantly hope. If you find it too emotional you can always pretend that smoke got in your eyes. Isn't the function of a good film to try and draw out emotions ? It is especially rewarding when these are positive and natural rather than base and specious. An easy 10 out of 10

I thought "Dear Frankie" was a delightful film. It was supposed to be a tear jerker! I felt the acting was true (especially the work done by the child who played Frankie) and that the story, while fanciful in some portions, was good. In my opinion, the story was about the lengths a parent will go to in protecting their child from the ugliness of the world. Why must films always emulate reality? What is wrong with telling just a sweet, gentle story? Emily Mortimer was great, portraying a woman who had to be strong, yet who was also vulnerable, who was barely holding life together for her son and mother. Jack McElhone was terrific as her son. He was neither a cloyingly innocent deaf "victim" or the smart butt kid typically portrayed in current films. Gerard Butler did a good job of conveying "the man behind the disguise" as his interaction with Frankie progressed. I saw this film at the LA Film Festival, and judging by the audience reaction, I was not the only viewer who was enchanted by this movie. Those of you looking for a gritty slice of life would be wise to avoid "Dear Frankie". But if you want to spend some time in a world were parents DO care and good things do happen to those who are deserving, then this is the film for you.

I just saw Dear Frankie October, 15th and was more than delighted in the film. It is fantastically moving, and even though it is not filmed with enormous 'dramatics', as the blockbuster Hollywood films are, it is so amazingly 'real' - and thus captivating. I heard that the first screening left the actors stunned to wait so long for the standing ovation to subside - I can see why. The acting is superb, but the story is marvelous. It is a film with a not-so-simple message - one that moves the soul. One moment you are entertained with quick-witted humor, and the next moment your heart fills with compassion. It's simplicity is one of it's main high points and the absence of Hollywood "flash" is refreshing! Heart-warming and pleasantly humorous - I would recommend it to anyone! I loved it and plan on seeing it again. 5 stars for Dear Frankie! Lori

source: Dear Frankie

Dear Frankie