Dear Frankie (2004)

Director:

Shona Auerbach

Writer:

Andrea Gibb (screenplay)

Release Date:

16 March 2005 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

After having responded to her son's numerous letters in the guise of his father, a woman hires a stranger to pose as his dad when meeting him.

Plot Keywords:

Stranger | Letter | Ship | Sailor | Map

Awards:

8 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Emily Mortimer	...	Lizzie
Jack McElhone	...	Frankie
Mary Riggans	...	Nell
Sharon Small	...	Marie
Sophie Main	...	Serious Girl
Katy Murphy	...	Miss MacKenzie
Sean Brown	...	Ricky Monroe
Jayd Johnson	...	Catriona
Anna Hepburn	...	Headmistress
Rony Bridges	...	Post Office Clerk
Douglas Stewart Wallace	...	Stamp Shop Keeper
Elaine M. Ellis	...	Librarian (as Elaine Mackenzie Ellis)
Carolyn Calder	...	Barmaid
John Kazek	...	Ally
Gerard Butler	...	The Stranger

Also Known As:

Natural History (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | British Sign Language

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:12 (video rating) (2005) | UK:12A (edited for re-rating) | UK:15 (original rating) | Malaysia:U | Finland:K-7 | Iceland:LH | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Hong Kong:I | Netherlands:AL | USA:PG-13 | Brazil:10 | Spain:13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Buchanan Street Stamps, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Company:

Pathé Pictures International

Trivia:

The song that plays while Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) is sitting on a bench crying after a fruitless attempt to find a "daddy" for Frankie, is written by one of the most famous contemporary Estonian composer - Arvo Pärt.

Goofs:

Continuity: In one of Frankie's letters to his dad, the text of the letter does not correspond to the voiceover. We hear Frankie say, "Ricky Munroe told me. Trust him to put his big feet right in it." but the letter reads, "Trust him to put his size threes right in it."

Quotes:

Lizzie: We had an arrangement. You broke it.
The Stranger: One more day that's all.
Lizzie: No, no, no. I want you to go now. It's over, do you hear me, it's over.
The Stranger: My ship sails on Monday. There is only one more day.
Lizzie: Who the hell do you think you are? Who gave you the right to come in here and behave like this?
The Stranger: You did.

Soundtrack:

Lost in the Shuffle

Beautiful.

One of the most beautiful films I have ever seen, Dear Frankie is a true hidden gem without the glossy cloak of stardust that you get with so many films. It's definitely in among my favourites.

It has a unique and thoughtful storyline that is portrayed by the perfect combination of actors. There are no superstars or big names, just a group of people who want to make a film that pulls heartstrings which it does successfully. Dear Frankie gives you that rare feeling of sadness and happiness which is hard to forget.

It was a true masterpiece, the most near-perfect film that I have ever come across.It was the only film to ever bring tears to my eyes, which is quite a feat.