Dear Frankie
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: B- Film: B-
Emily Mortimer plays the mother who is lying to her son by
writing him letters as his father in Shona Auerbach’s Dear Frankie
(2004); a Miramax release the studio thought might be a sleeper hit the way
they strategically promoted it. It was
not a blitz, yet the film did not find a big audience. Frankie (Jack McElhone) is deaf and his
mother thinks he has enough troubles.
She left her husband since she had her own issues with him and herself,
but was especially anxious to protect her son.
Though the film is not bad, it has some issues about
resolving its dilemmas and that is likely why it never caught on. It is well cast, acted and directed, but
never truly resolves its story. That is
even with the consideration that some of this could never be resolved. It helps that Frankie has many moments where
he thinks to himself and we hear it as voice-over narration of sorts, one of
the better ways this has been used in a film recently. On the other hand, the film lands up not
being able to exceed the cycle of working class U.K. persons that has been
overdone in recent years. This is odder
still as an Irish cinema is on the rise and British one is in flux. It is still worth a look if you like serious
adult-level dramas.
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image on the disc is
a bit soft and some of this might be the film stocks used for the
lower-budgeted production, but other smearing and detail limits are the
transfer. Auerbach shot the film
herself, which at least has a consistent look.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is not bad considering the same circumstances,
but this is still a dialogue-based film.
Extras include Auerbach’s pleasant commentary, deleted scenes with more
optional commentary by Auerbach, an on-camera interview with Auerbach and an
installment on the film for the series Anatomy Of A Scene. This film is good enough to get a following
thanks to this DVD. We look forward to
Miss Auerbach’s next film.
- Nicholas Sheffo
