I just watched the UK movie, Dear Frankie – gosh, a sure thing – this movie is full of emotions. I think that everyone who sees it – would feel them. The movie’s main character is Frankie – 9 and half years old boy who is deaf – but that isn’t that much important as he does have a great personality.
You should see him writing the A in Deaf when one of his classmates tries to bring him down. Frankie misses his father terribly and writes to him often – only his dad who writes back, but his mom – I don’t want to include any spoilers – so I would highly recommend this movie to you.
At first, I was heaving a bit of trouble picking up the English accent, but in a few minutes getting used to it – the movie did not have subtitles, which was fine by me as, generally, I’m not too fond of movies with subtitles anyway (except for anime movies – most of which are in Japanese as you know ). The moments which Frankie shared with his “dad “( you will see for yourself why I am using the quotes here ) reminded me of my dad – who is away now – and I am pretty much in the situation of Frankie – writing to him, only am using yahoo messenger – rather than mails. There were quite some moments in the movie I could relate to myself.
Scene from Dear Frankie (2004)
The music is well-chosen and adds to the overall atmosphere – I do not know why, but UK movies seem to be much better made than any else – on a psychological base, if you want to call it that way. Like Billy Elliot, Dear Frankie would make you feel.
Thanks for reminding me about this one. I first watched it as a teenager and wasn’t that impressed: I found it slow-moving and the only thing that held my attention were the strong performances from the principal cast.
But this isn’t a film for kids. Sure enough it has no sex or violence in it, only one instance of strong language and its references to mature themes (domestic violence and child abuse) are oblique — but it is aimed at adults. For those viewers with life-experiences to relate to the story, however, this is a straightforward tale with a complex and deeply moving message.
It has some great twists to it as well. And though I suspect many will, like me, see the final one coming, that doesn’t lessen its impact.
The story of a disabled fatherless boy, his well intentioned mother and the mysterious stranger could have fallen into an awful trap of sentimentality in its telling but in the event makes a refreshing change to Hollywood ickiness. The cinematography is superb, too. This is a true gem of independent film-making.
This is one of my favorites too—especially thanks to Gerard Butler, who has made a whole generation of teenagers think that ancient Greeks and Vikings spoke with a Scottish accent! One surprise, however, is that a different young actor performs Frankie’s voice over. He’s wonderful, of course, but I’ve always wondered why Jack wasn’t used for both jobs.
I have a copy of this movie as well as the soundtrack, they are both incredible. I cannot watch this movie or listen to the main (piano) theme music without crying. My own father was a workaholic who was never around. Even though I am middle aged and my father is long dead, I still have this giant hole in my heart that has never healed. Even though I have no children of my own, I try to find opportunities to treat them the way I wish I had been treated. Children are very special and people who have them are truly blessed. Anyway, I can’t recommend this movie enough. I suggest turning on the English subtitles because their thick Irish accent can be a little difficult to understand.
This was a great movie I saw it last year,, but it did make me want to cry. Frankie and his dad have such a wounderful relationship, I think its what all boys and dad want.