Frank

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Language    Sex    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens August 29, 2014

Runs 95 minutes

Frank (Michael Fassbender) is the leader of an avant-garde rock band, singing and dancing all while wearing a giant, round paper-mache head. Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) is an idealistic young office worker who would rather be writing songs than plugging away at a desk. One day on his lunch break, Jon runs into the band as they try to keep their keyboard player from drowning himself in the sea. As the band member is taken away by men in white coats, the band's manager Don (Scoot McNairy) jokingly asks Jon if he can play keyboards. Of course, Jon jumps at the chance to be a member of a real band. As he joins the band (Angry Clara - Maggie Gyllenhaal, Near silent Baraque and Nana, as well) he thinks he has found what he always wanted. But, as dysfunction and anger set in and they try to record an album, things start to implode. Will the band be able to hold it together for their appearance at SXSW or will everything fall apart?

OK. This movie is definitely eccentric. Michael Fassbender is great, even while wearing his giant head for almost the whole movie - yes, even in the shower and in bed (we know because Jon spies on him to find out!). It is very funny in parts, but it seems to skirt around the overriding mental health issues of almost everyone in the band. Sometimes it felt really sad to laugh at their problems. Maggie Gyllenhaal was terrific as an angry, mother hen watching over Frank. You never really understand why she is so angry and you would like to see her smile at least once. And, no one could sing a note! How they get invited to SXSW is still a surprise to me, but overall this was a very different film. If you are into independent and arty films, this might be up your alley. If not, skip it.

Movie Search

Find a movie by name, genre, or ranking.