Dear Frankie Reviews

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.

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.

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.

[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'!

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?

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!!!

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!

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.

Sweet

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

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.....