Dear Frankie (2004)

Powerful

Overrated

It is a performances centric movie

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

How could the writer and the director believe in and write such an absurd story is beyond understanding. Dear Frankie relies on a premise that has almost no credibility, Lizzie's action being totally devoid of sens. How could she act like that and still think that it's good for her kid ? Hard to validate this situation.Admitting that point, the script still lacks substance and dynamism. Certain aspects could have been much more exposed, such as Gerard Butler's character who is surprisingly under-developed when he could have brought so much more to the story.Emily Mortimer, as often happens, is irreproachable and almost single-handedly carries this movie.

By now, Emily Mortimer and Gerard Butler have made a name of themselves, but this film puts all of that to rest. Watching this film, you might notice them, but their superb acting makes them embody every aspect of their character.This movie is a gem that has excellent acting, dialogue, and cinematography. It might seem "typical" but I assure you it isn't.Dear Frankie will have you feeling every emotion possible as it sinks you deeper into the plot and makes you feel for the characters.Emily Mortimer strikes gold again, thanks to Lars and the Real Girl, I checked this out. Gerard Butler does some acting I never thought possible (he isn't bad, but he sure isn't in much more than comedies and action movies). This is a treat all too well earned.Quit reading reviews and watch it already!

I saw Dear Frankie recently and never having heard about it, was pleased that TV Ontario had televised this little gem of a motion picture. On this side of the Atlantic, we often miss out on some of the better movies that come out of the British Isles and this one is no exception. All the actors are excellent and the atmosphere of the Scottish coastal town has a wonderful sense of location, grim and majestic at the same time.The movie is realistic and heart-warming with an understated sense of humor. The child in the role of Frankie, performed by Jack McElhone, is an absolute delight. He is bright and imaginative child with a severe hearing impairment but not completely deaf (he is using a hearing aid). Yet he can stand up to the bullying tactics of the other kids at school. His mother Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) is coping with the responsibilities of being a single mother, while longing to find a husband. The surrogate father (Gerard Butler) seems to be a natural as the missing link in the family unit, while Lizzie faces the torture of dealing with the real father. The rest of the cast, including Lizzie's mother and her best friend, are all worthy of mention.The ending is bittersweet but hopeful. It is rare to find a movie that tells a story so well and is yet so down-to-earth. This is fine movie. Don't miss it.

I remember a proverb that " Books are well written or badly written'.It is similar in case of movies too, Movies are well made or badly made. (there is no such thing as art films or commercial films). I saw the movie on STAR MOVIES on an evening, it completely mesmerized me.The actors weren't phony and script is also well executed. Also everybody brings out a seamless performance in acting, which can be credited to director.Even for people who hate movies, I will recommend this movie 10 out of 10.