MOVIE REVIEW: FRANK (2014)
Limited Release, Sep.5 (USA)
Director: Lenny Abrahamson
Genre: Dark Comedy, Mystery
Disclaimer: While “Frank” is not available everywhere, I had a chance to watch it via video on demand, via rental. It should be available this way on most digital video outlets (iTunes etc.)
LET’S BE ‘FRANK’ WITH ONE ANOTHER
Frank is an odd film. I’ll go ahead and say it. I’ll be frank with you (*wink). The film stars include Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson (son of actor Brendan Glesson from Troy, Braveheart, and the Harry Potter Series), Scott McNairy, and Maggie Gyleenhall.
The movie follows the character Jon (Gleeson), who is a wanna-be musician who can’t quite find the right words for his “breakthrough” song. His days dreaming of the life as a singer/songwriter are put on halt as he runs into the eccentric pop band, the un-pronounceable ” Soronprfbs” as they are watching their keyboard player trying to drown himself in the ocean.
After being asked by the band’s manager (McNairy) if Jon can join them for a night gig as keyboard player, Jon gets thrown into the mix as the “new guy” in a group full of misfits and strange personalities.
After the night show, Jon is later fully recruited into the band and they are soon off to the countryside of Ireland to record a new record in a remote cabin.
Jon stays with the band for about a year as they try to figure out the sound of the songs and write and record new material. This is where the characters are fully introduced and Jon beings to understand (or not) what makes them tick.
Don is the band manager who tells Jon that he was a former mental patient. He used to fight mannequins. Next you have Clara who is vicious and cruel towards Jon, making it clear that his presence in the band is despised by her. Carla Azar, and Francois Civil play Nana, and Baraque (the band’s drummer and the band’s guitarist) respectively. They mostly say things in French the entire time.
Lastly,you have the title character, Frank. Head-case and all. He is the most interesting of them all but it’s clear that there is something going on (or that he is hiding) inside his head. The paper-mache one, of course.
Frank is brilliant to the eyes of the band members and to the newcomer Jon. Most importantly is the fact that the film does a good job with setting up the characters. They don’t tell you too much, but just enough to realize that they all are kind-of messed up.
The tone of the film may be somewhat jarring and bizarre to some. I know it was for me at first.
The music the band plays is very avant-garde (it’s experimental to say at best). The film is primarily a soundtrack is some aspects but considering the tone of the film, it works in its favor instead of being an annoyance – even though the music is very bizarre.
Jon struggles with his ability to add material to the band – they mostly reject it in favor of the weird and noisy, psychedelic tunes that make up the sound of ” Soronprfbs”.
But Frank likes Jon, and he enjoys creativity. As Jon discovers in the film, Frank is inspired by almost everything. Music is his passion, and he delights in the creativity of it. Jon tries his best to learn from Frank while staying at the cabin.
Above (Left to right): Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Frank (Michael Fassbender), and Jon Burroughs (Domhall Gleeson)
Fassbender plays his most unusual role to date ( the last one I saw of him was this year’s X-Men DOFP) but his is fine as ever as the eccentric and innocent Frank, mask and all. Even without a face, Fassbender is able to convey just the right amount of quirky-ness through his body movements as well as a calm friendliness through the big doe-eyed mask of his.
He even asks if it’s okay to describe his facial expressions at one point (to Jon) to help make conversations easier.
“Frank” (the film) is a comedy, after all, albeit a dark one at that. It’s witty, clever, and has a few gags here and there that will get you to grin or chuckle, if not laugh out loud (lol). It’s also very British in humor (it’s directed by an Irish guy) so that may be a red flag to some. (I should probably say humour right?)
Frank is a dark comedy that looks inside a person. It’s not emotionally manipulative nor is it too silly. It’s rather a refreshing film that, if you can get past the strange music, then you’ll enjoy what the film says about fame, popularity, social media, friendship, love, passion, creativity. Frank (the film) is all these things wrapped up with a bow.
Note: The film is loosely inspired by the actual comedic performer from the 80’s known as Frank Sidebottom who had a similar head that he wore as part of his stage character. This film however, is not biographical.
The film also has a pretty subtle but noticeable tonal shift that could jar some or leave others surprised. It’s not a film for everyone. Trust me, it’s a strange film but it’s got enough heart and poignancy to it that makes it count.
You see, the most interesting fact of Frank (the character) is that what drives his genius? What gives hin the ability to find creativity in almost everything? Everything he will try and use musically or lyrically. He discovers a way (or least tries to). It is avant-garde music after all.
We begin to learn more about Frank after Jon supposedly starts posting some videos of the band’s recording sessions on YouTube. They become a modest hit (like 2,300 or so views) and then are asked to play in SXSW (South By South West), the famous music festival in Texas.
This part of the film begins the quest and downfall of our characters Frank and Jon.
Frank is clearly not okay by the films third act, and Jon becoming so obsessed with becoming a hit almost breaks the group apart for good. Jon’s ego outweighs Frank’s ability to perform and the film goes into some pretty zany and quite serious territory towards the climax.
The most surprising aspect of this film – and I give it much credit – is that the film deals with everyone as if they have a vice that they struggle with. While Frank is clearly ill, Jon has his own issues with fame and wanting recognition (even through a selfish use of Frank and the band). His ego gets the best of him, and the consequences are negative for the band, Frank, and himself.
This is what made the movie so interesting to me. It deals with all people as flawed individuals. Regardless of mental health aside, everyone has their vices and everyone has a creative and strange side to them (some more so than others). Most of the characters are likable even with their flaws (with the exception of Clara perhaps).
“Frank”is not a perfect film but it’s got enough witty humor and some relevant and heartfelt themes to make it worth a watch. I will say that again, it’s not for everyone. It’s strange to say at least – mainly it’s soundtrack (which from what I heard, the actors actually performed the fictional band’s music live on set. So the group does exist in a meta kind-of way).
Parental Content:
The film is rated R
It’s got some profanity, mostly F-words since it’s an Irish/British film, so you should expect that. It’s rated R mainly for language, but there is a rather awkward sexual scene in the film. It’s rather brief (thank-the maker) and there is no nudity in it and it’s chiefly played up for comedy, but just so you know.
Overall, it’s a refreshing piece of entertainment in the indie world of film. It’s not too melancholy nor is it too silly, but it has the right amount of human emotion to make the film give you the feels. It’s unique and full of introspection, as well as seemingly random stuff too. Frank is well….he’s different. He’s one of a kind.
3.2 out of 5 stars