Dear Frankie

Some good movies occasionally get by me and "Dear Frankie" (2004) is one of those films. This is one of those quiet films that gently eases itself into one's soul and remains there for a while. Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler, and a young actor named Shona Auerbach deliver compelling performances that elevates this above a typical tearjerker.Emily Mortimer plays Lizzie Morrison, a single mother who at the beginning of the film is moving her family, which includes her mother and Lizzie's hearing-impaired 9-year-old son, Frankie (Shona Auerbach). Apparently, the family is always moving and the reasons are revealed earlier on in the film, though not with any specifics provided. Frankie settles into a routine at school - he is the target of nasty comments by some of his peers, but manages to make a good friend. Frankie loves geography and looks forward to receiving letters from his Da, a man Frankie has never met but who sends Frankie letters, describing travels on a ship named Accra.Early on in the film it is revealed that these letters are actually penned by Lizzie, who does not want Frankie to know the real truth about his Da. When the Accra is revealed to be docking at their seaside town, the school bully insists that Frankie show his Da off to the kids at school and Emily scrambles to find a total stranger who will step into the role. The man who picks up this assignment is none other than Gerard Butler, who plays a stranger who agrees to be Frankie's Da for a day or two.The film moves languidly against the backdrop of a bucolic coastal town. Yet there is also the undertone of menace simmering just below the surface - this is well-portrayed by the facial expressions and furtive body language of Emily Mortimer's Lizzie. Why is she hell bent on keeping up with the deception, and why is she so afraid of her past catching up with her? These questions are answered late into the film, but definitely worth the wait. There is a sense of the bittersweet here with an ending that left me feeling contemplative about the vagaries of human existence.

The acting pleased me, and the shape of the story, and the look and feel of the film. Good work!The first time I saw the film, I needed more help to notice the right things and ask the right questions. For instance, I wanted more time to watch Frankie as he met with clues to his Mother's Lie.[spoilers] Later it struck me that there is an interesting parallel between Lizzie's Stranger and another Stranger who also (1) came as if from nowhere, (2) won the heart of a needy girl, (3) showed what a "real" Father is like, and then (4) left -- but he is coming back. What he did was a gift. We don't know when he will return, so we wait. He is even a hero on a white horse. There may be a hundred literary parallels, but you will have guessed that I'm talking about Jesus (see the writings of John and Paul in the Bible).Of course I don't mean that the parallel is perfect. Lizzie's Stranger has his own needs; he is a pale reflection in a troubled pool. And I don't mean to say that the writer and the director/cinematographer had the other Stranger in mind. He was off camera; suddenly we realize he is there.Only the surface of this movie is what some people call "realistic." (That's rather like our lives, isn't it?)The problem posed at the outset is Lizzie's Big Lie, and the movie never deals with it to the satisfaction of some people. Maybe they are right. But I see the silent mercy of God releasing Lizzie from the spider's web she has woven, the sticky web that protects and ensnares. God, unrecognized, still cares for Lizzie and Frankie.His mercy is also for a Stranger closed in on himself. It is even for the man who was Frankie's physical father, when the last of his capacity for self-giving love has died.A few things are done poorly, or are in poor taste. And, sad to say, "Dear Frankie" shows signs of spiritual emptiness. Well, so do I. Let's notice the symptoms, but let's enjoy the film for the good that is in it.Even at the end, Lizzie has something still to learn: no one has to deserve to be forgiven.The Scottish accent was not too hard to handle, and there are subtitles. Anyway, for some of us the accent is like music. So is a good story well told.

There are few films that I would want to watch more than once. Well, I've just watched 'Dear Frankie' for the third time, and it gets better each time. The plot has been covered in other reviews, and you probably wouldn't want me to give too much away anyway, so here are just a few reasons why I like this film so much:It does have a great plot, full of twists and turns (and I'm one of those who thinks the ending is just fine). 'Nuff said.It stirs strong emotions without being maudlin or sentimental.It reminds us that great storytelling does not depend on huge budgets, special effects and all-star casts.The story unfolds at a pace that is slow enough for the characters (and our identification with them) to develop fully. They are all utterly human and believable.The photography, particularly the rather understated monochromatic colour schemes of most of the scenes, enhance the acting and the storytelling.The music likewise.In an age where films generally seem to be aimed at an audience with an attention span of somewhat less than one second, the length of time for which some of the shots are held seems quite daring. But how better to induce such a build-up of tension and emotion. Look at the scenes where the protagonists are leaning over a railing by the sea, or where they kiss, and you'll see what I mean.The acting and direction are perfect.I maybe don't see Gerard Butler in the light that some female reviewers seem to, but even as a man I can see that he has the charismatic presence of a latter day Sean Connery. (And he's so lucky to be acting opposite Emily Mortimer.)So don't miss this film; it packs an emotional and artistic punch that is more than equal to most big budget Hollywood blockbusters.

This is a quiet and charming film. Living in the area where most of it was filmed, it's nice to see the familiar locations.This tender story is no fast-paced all-action blockbuster, but a rather lyrical film. Watching it with a group of students for a film class, I asked them afterwards if they felt it was too long for them, and they all said no. The interview with the director is very useful and interesting, as she talks about they effects they were trying to achieve with the subdued colour pallette, and the lack of clues to place the movie in any particular time frame.The scene, about three quarters through, with the husband in the hospital bed, gives by his violent attitude, a contrast to the gentleness that has gone before, and is necessary to illusrtrate the reasons for the situation of Frankie and his Mum. Mind you, one does wonder if they had not heard of, or tried to enforce, a Restraining Order.The lingering shot in the doorway before Frankie's mum and "Dad" kiss, is extraordinary in a modern film, and the director comments on it in her interview.The nice little "twist" at the end, in the form of Frankie'e comments in a letter to his "Dad" packs an emotional punch, and is uplifing.There is a good selection of bonus material with the DVD; interviews with a number of the actgors as well as with the Director, and other material.Even though I live where this was filmed, it was a schoolteacher friend from Nizhnevartovsk, Siberia, who introduced me to the film!

I found this film surprisingly good and brilliantly acted. Every character is believable, but I found that the little boy who played Frankie - Young Adam, gave an amazing and memorable performance, which was pretty heart-wrenching at times and so did Gerard Butler who was pretending to be his father, just for one day. I felt all the characters really pulled you in, but Gerard Butler playing the "pretend father" was an excellent choice and he also tugged at my heart strings as you end up so wanting him and Frankie's mother to end up together for Frankie's sake(well I did anyway!). The only potential negative thing I would say is, I felt I wanted this film to end more happily than it did, and instead of feeling uplifted at the end, I felt very sad! But then, this film is no chick flick, so you can't really expect a fluffy end lol. I still would recommend this film though.

I was recommended this movie by a friend, and I wasn't disappointed at all!Frankie, a little deaf boy, has been moved around by his mother, as they stay away from his abusive father, but to protect Frankie, Lizzie has told Frankie his father is away working on a boat, and writes to him as his father. When Frankie makes a bet with a boy at school though, she finds herself searching for someone to play Dad for the day.It's a lovely sweet gentle little film you fall in love with!

I must admit i purchased this film purely as i saw it had Gerald Butler in as i have a bit of a soft spot for him, but this film was well worth the buy. It was very heartwarming and left me longing to see it again. The acting from all was spot on. Jack McElhone as Frankie was excellent and conveyed his part well even though we only get to hear him speak once and Geralds charachter was warm and sympathetic and really likeable. I have seen Emily Mortimer in a few things now and shes not an excellent actress but i must say in this she portrayed her charachter well, she was very believable as a mother in turmoil, worn out from her life so far. All in all well worth the watch, i would recommend it highly.