Dear Frankie cover art

Dear Frankie Reviews

2004 Certificate 12
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 11,908 members

Nine-year-old Frankie and his single mum Lizzie have been on the move ever since Frankie can remember, most recently arriving in a seaside Scottish town. Wanting to protect her deaf son from the truth that they've run away from his father, Lizzie has invented a story that he is away at sea on the HMS Accra. Every few weeks, .. Read more

Starring Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler, Jack McElhone
Director Shona Auerbach
Genres Audio Descriptive, Drama

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  • Critics' reviews (5) of Dear Frankie

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    Single mum Emily Mortimer tries to protect her young deaf son from the truth about his abusive father in this poignant Scottish drama from first-time feature director Shona Auerbach. This simple story is rich with precise observation and it tugs at the heartstrings without being maudlin or manipulative. Jack McElhone is wonderfully natural as nine-year-old Frankie, who corresponds religiously with his absentee dad, unaware that it's his devoted mother who's picking up the letters and faking the replies. With its sincere and perceptive script, the beautifully shot film vividly captures the raw emotions of its complex characters. Mortimer is particularly appealing, exuding a mixture of dignity and vulnerability, while Gerard Butler has magnetic allure as the stranger she pays to temporarily masquerade as Frankie's father. Despite occasional flickers of a fairy-tale ending, Auerbach ultimately resists the temptation, maintaining the realism and integrity that give this thoughtful feature its bittersweet charm.

    • Radio Times
  • Frankie (Jack McElhone) is a young deaf boy who lives with his mum, Lizzie (Emily Mortimer), and grandma, Nell (Mary... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • Mortimer gives her best performance yet

    • Sunday Express
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Dear Frankie

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  • 110 out of 111 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Tender and Moving

    I saw this at the cinema on the first weekend of release. I found this film very emotional and moving, a tender film about a boy's longing for his father and his mother's quest to protect him from the truth. The acting was first rate and the film truly touches you. I would recommend this film to anyone.

      • A customer from Surrey
  • 17 out of 17 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Heart warming

    This tale about the depths of a mother's love for her deaf son Frankie is an absolute love.

    It has heart, warmth and some fantastic character acting.

    This is not just one story but is enjoyable for all the changes in the different relationships that you get to explore.

    The writer has handled the ending sensitively and thoughtfully while avoiding obvious choices.

    I really enjoyed this fine piece of British Film.

      • zehnder from Hampshire
  • 15 out of 16 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A Modern Fairtytale

    The beautiful princess is trapped by the evils in her past, she is icy, almost dead to anything but the need to keep the truth from Frankie, her 9 year old son. But Frankie is smart and resourceful and will save her, as well as any son in a storybook. This is a beautiful film, a fantasy with a stark and realistic background, which can also take your breath away with wonder, as one of the characters comments for herself.

    The synopsis does not do justice to the stately and beguiling way this tale is told - the shocks and surprises are never gratuitous and the happy ever after ...? Well, that would be telling. Emily Mortimer conveys well the paralysis of fear and yearning, the spare and well-crafted dialogue tells us a little less than we would like to know, but the suspense is not unpleasant. The supporting players have colour and substance and the man who agrees play the part of Frankie's dad, is portrayed with heart-breaking restraint by Gerard

    Butler, who, after his showier role in 'Phantom of the Opera' demonstrates that he has real and effective range. But the boy is a wonder of subtlety and sincerity.

    A lovely film.

      • moviefan40 from Surrey
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of Dear Frankie

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    brilliant

    im sure ive done one reveiw but love to do another .A lovely well acted fil i did have a few tears thou .The little boy was brilliant and the step in dad was very good looking cor ha ha get the wine out and enjoy love postie rach xx

      • postie from exeter
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Stunning Film!

    This film is full of integrity, authentic twists and turns, and moments which tug at your heart. It is also beautifully acted and beautifully shot. A piece of great human quality. It is difficult to make films about the goodness and beauty there is in life, amongst all the squalor, but this Sharon Auerbach succeeds here superbly.

      • A classical actor from from deep in the luscious green valleys of stunning Mid-Wales.
  • 110 out of 111 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Tender and Moving

    I saw this at the cinema on the first weekend of release. I found this film very emotional and moving, a tender film about a boy's longing for his father and his mother's quest to protect him from the truth. The acting was first rate and the film truly touches you. I would recommend this film to anyone.

      • A customer from Surrey
  • 17 out of 17 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Heart warming

    This tale about the depths of a mother's love for her deaf son Frankie is an absolute love.

    It has heart, warmth and some fantastic character acting.

    This is not just one story but is enjoyable for all the changes in the different relationships that you get to explore.

    The writer has handled the ending sensitively and thoughtfully while avoiding obvious choices.

    I really enjoyed this fine piece of British Film.

      • zehnder from Hampshire
  • 15 out of 16 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A Modern Fairtytale

    The beautiful princess is trapped by the evils in her past, she is icy, almost dead to anything but the need to keep the truth from Frankie, her 9 year old son. But Frankie is smart and resourceful and will save her, as well as any son in a storybook. This is a beautiful film, a fantasy with a stark and realistic background, which can also take your breath away with wonder, as one of the characters comments for herself.

    The synopsis does not do justice to the stately and beguiling way this tale is told - the shocks and surprises are never gratuitous and the happy ever after ...? Well, that would be telling. Emily Mortimer conveys well the paralysis of fear and yearning, the spare and well-crafted dialogue tells us a little less than we would like to know, but the suspense is not unpleasant. The supporting players have colour and substance and the man who agrees play the part of Frankie's dad, is portrayed with heart-breaking restraint by Gerard

    Butler, who, after his showier role in 'Phantom of the Opera' demonstrates that he has real and effective range. But the boy is a wonder of subtlety and sincerity.

    A lovely film.

      • moviefan40 from Surrey
  • 14 out of 14 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Gentle, feel good movie

    Have been wanting to see this ever since it was released in the cinema but circumstances stopped me from going to see it then. A wonderfully peaceful film about love in various forms. The acting is superb and the direction is un-noticeable so it must be good. A strong cast of Scottish actors - even Emily Mortimer's accent isn't bad considering!

    Have recommended it to all my friends who enjoy a slightly sentimental film which leaves one feeling that 'all's right with the world'!

      • crispin40 from Stirling, Scotland
  • 8 out of 9 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A superb and enjoyable film

    This film takes a plot that could so easily have been turned into some kind of glossy, simplistic rubbish with stereotyped characters and a Hollywood ending, and makes a touching understated drama. While it still delivers on its credentials as a romantic film, it doesn't (contrary to what others have said) lower itself to cynically manipulating the audiences emotions. The performances are excellent all round. Emily Mortimer, who I'm not normally I'm a big fan of, delivers a top performance as a single Mum hiding from her husband, desperately trying to be strong for her son but secretly yearning to stop running. Gerard Butler plays the brusque and initially reserved stranger who eventually warms to Emily's family. This is done by a number of beautifully observed gestures, making it almost believable that he can fall in love with their dysfunctional family unit over the course of a few days. There is a stand out performance by Frankie himself, a deaf child who isn't some winsome moppet mugging for our attention, but a quiet child who looks out on the World with a mix of warmth and muted cynicism that adult actors could learn from. Praise also goes to the Director. Some people have said that the pace is too slow, but I for one enjoyed the fact that it lingered over characters and moods, and didn't try to rush from one scene to the other in a frantic attempt to over emphasise the drama already inherent in the situation. Plus, some of the lovely subtle shots of the Scottish coast are masterly - like some of Atkinson-Grimshaw's more expressionist paintings of the sea. It's not without its flaws. As I mentioned earlier, some might find its pace too slow for them. Also, even after being lulled into submission by the film's overall quality, I was a little dubious about the way the plot surrounding Frankie's real and fake fathers was tied up. However, in what is essentially a romance I'm willing to cast a little logic to the winds for what appears to be a happy ending - what do you expect when the basic premise itself is, shall we say, a trifle unlikely?

      • Darth Egregious from London
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Watch this British Cinema Gem TODAY!!!!

    I watched this today, while I was the only one in the house. To say that was by chance the best situation I possibly could have been in after the movie instantly began tugging at my more tender emotions - well, that's a bit of an understatement. A real achievement by first-time director from my point of view and a real credit to the British film industry.

    Don't expect Hollywood from this little gem and you'll receive the world in return...A Very nice and sentimental & moving journey from start to finish.

    Top Marks, I absolutely loved it and I'm a fairly well-built ex-squaddie of 32 years old.

    Rent this TODAY, and be prepared with the hankies!!!

      • David Thornton from Chester, Cheshire. ENGLAND.
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Heart warming. A Must see!

    I was expecting too much during the first minutes of this film as it hadn't been my choice, BUT I was pleasantly surprised by how moving and enjoyable the film was. I would definitely recommend!

      • A customer from Kent
  • 7 out of 11 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    AWESOME

    brilliant film.one of the best films i have ever seen.the director's first

    proper movie.wow!i shall be buying my

    own copy.must see for all lovers of

    films with a great story.

      • A customer from sandy,beds.
  • 7 out of 11 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Sweet

    This film is so sweet. I recommend you go see it if you fell in love with Gerard Butler as the Phantom.

      • carrie24 from south glamorgan
  • 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Gem of a movie!

    Being a massive Gerry Butler fan I couldn't wait to see this. It had limited cinematic releases so I had to wait for the DVD. And it was well worth it... what a beautiful, gorgeous, gem of a movie it is.

    I knew what to expect from Gerry, his on-screen presence and magnetism never fails. He may not be in the film all that long but he ends up being at the centre of the story.

    Also, what great performances from Jack McElhone as the deaf Frankie and Emily Mortimer (doing a very convincing Scottish accent) as his Mum.

    A lovely little film I'd recommend to anyone young or old.

    Oh, and Gerry Butler won a Bowmore Scottish Actors award for his role in this. Thoroughly deserved.....

      • Lady Claire from UK
  • Critics' reviews (5)

  • 4 stars out of 5

    Single mum Emily Mortimer tries to protect her young deaf son from the truth about his abusive father in this poignant Scottish drama from first-time feature director Shona Auerbach. This simple story is rich with precise observation and it tugs at the heartstrings without being maudlin or manipulative. Jack McElhone is wonderfully natural as nine-year-old Frankie, who corresponds religiously with his absentee dad, unaware that it's his devoted mother who's picking up the letters and faking the replies. With its sincere and perceptive script, the beautifully shot film vividly captures the raw emotions of its complex characters. Mortimer is particularly appealing, exuding a mixture of dignity and vulnerability, while Gerard Butler has magnetic allure as the stranger she pays to temporarily masquerade as Frankie's father. Despite occasional flickers of a fairy-tale ending, Auerbach ultimately resists the temptation, maintaining the realism and integrity that give this thoughtful feature its bittersweet charm.

    • Radio Times
  • Frankie (Jack McElhone) is a young deaf boy who lives with his mum, Lizzie (Emily Mortimer), and grandma, Nell (Mary... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • Mortimer gives her best performance yet

    • Sunday Express
  • Engaging and heart-warming

    • Sunday Mirror
  • Touching and tender

    • The Times

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    • Dear Frankie
      Nine-year-old Frankie and his single mum Lizzie have been on the move ever since Frankie can remember, most recently arriving in a seaside Scottish town. Wanting to protect her deaf son from the truth that they've run away from his father, Lizzie has invented a story that he is away at sea on the ...

Rating breakdown

11,908 Member ratings
  • 100
1,296
  • 90
1,262
  • 80
2,416
  • 70
2,205
  • 60
2,064
  • 50
1,244
  • 40
649
  • 30
410
  • 20
244
  • 10
118

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