DEAR FRANKIE
A film review by David N. Butterworth
Copyright 2005 David N. Butterworth
*** (out of ****)
Emily Mortimer, Jack McElhone, and Gerard Butler star in "Dear
Frankie," an attentive and well-made Scottish import that emphasizes
strong character development in ways that are both subtle and complex.
But perhaps the biggest pleasure one gets from watching this
atypical love story--apart from its fine ensemble of relatively unknown
actors and its confident direction by first-timer Shona Auerbach--is
the way in which critical elements are revealed, unhurriedly,
affectionately, much like the satisfaction one gets from unpeeling an
onion, layer after layer after layer, until there are no more layers
left to peel.
And whereas it would be unconscionable to reveal said plot points
herein I will, for the sake of general explication, mention a few key
factors with the recommendation that those wishing to enjoy the film as
I did, without any first-hand knowledge of the plot's excellent
expositions, skip the following paragraph.
SEMI-SPOILERS: Frankie, the boy addressee, has an absent father
who works aboard a ship and regularly sends his son letters from
various ports of call. Only the letters represent a duplicitous cover-
up on the part of Frankie's mother Lizzie since they have, in fact,
been written by her, delivered to a generic post office box established
for that very purpose. Lizzie has good reason to perpetuate this lie,
however, a fact relating to Frankie's "condition" that is revealed late
in the film, putting past events into a fitting if disturbing
perspective.
Frankie (the natural McElhone, who starred opposite Ewan McGregor
and Tilda Swinton in last year's NC-17 rated Scottish drama "Young
Adam") and his Mum Lizzie (Mortimer) are forever on the move, picking
up and taking off whenever circumstances demand it. And circumstances
frequently demand it.
"Aren't you going to tell him?" asks Lizzie's mother Nell (Mary
Riggans), who lives--and frequently moves--with them. Frankie's Dad's
away on a ship and writes to his son regularly. But there's a
problem. Frankie has learned that his Dad's vessel will be docking
soon and wishes to see his father, much to the obvious chagrin of his
mother, whose protestations about Dad's extremely limited shore leave
fall on deaf ears.
The cast is attractive and competent, with Mortimer and McElhone
mostly carrying the weight of this substantial movie by offering a
realistic portrait of an often-stressful mother/son relationship (with
added complications). Butler, playing the father Dave, is handsomely
formidable yet, much like his character, doesn't impose himself on the
young mother and her emotionally tender charge. (It should be noted
that the producers of the next James Bond film--who are currently
seeking a replacement for Pierce Brosnan--might wish to seriously
consider talking to Butler. He's got the presence, the charm, and is
physically right for the role, much like Clive Owen but without the
extended sneer.)
These three principals are not the sole reason for checking out
this finely-crafted character drama but between them Mortimer,
McElhone, and Butler make "Dear Frankie" a lasting love letter worth
experiencing.
--
David N. Butterworth
dnb@dca.net
Got beef? Visit "La Movie Boeuf"
online at http://members.dca.net/dnb
========== X-RAMR-ID: 39643 X-Language: en X-RT-ReviewID: 1375923 X-RT-TitleID: 1143089 X-RT-SourceID: 878 X-RT-AuthorID: 1393 X-RT-RatingText: 3/4
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