Besides the fact that the Irish film industry is just absolutely booming at the moment with brilliant talent and international successes, there is something pretty amazing about the people that work on these projects. Think about it, Michael Fassbender is an Oscar nominated actor who has starred in wonderful productions like the hard-hitting but excellent Twelve Years A Slave, yet he still finds time to work on projects that are close to his heart. The same goes for Domhnall Gleeson, an actor who has gained huge international respect, not least for the lovely About Time and yet as soon as a film like Frank came his way, he was more than eager to work on it. It’s almost like how the Irish themselves operate abroad, we always come home in the end; we are intensely proud as a nation.
The other reason that these two exceptional actors were drawn together for this particular project was the fact that they would work with the brilliant Lenny Abrahamson, a director who has been gaining international acclaim for his work over the last few years. His success began with Adam and Paul, a film which follows the lives of two heroin addicts around Dublin city centre while What Richard Did launched the career of Jack Reynor, bringing him to the attention of the likes of Michael Bay. However, none of these compare with his latest work, Frank, a film that beautifully balances sadness, heartbreak, love and respect in one of the most charming films you will ever see. We mean that, this is one of the most charming films you will ever see.
The film begins with an introduction to Jon, a slightly lonely soul who sees himself as a music writer, except every tune that he writes slowly morphs into another pop song that is already pretty well known. Everything changes however when the keyboard player from a band that is playing in his local town attempts to drown himself and ends up in hospital. All of a sudden, Jon finds himself as the newest member of the “Soronprfbs” (if you can pronounce it, well done you), trapped in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, “recording” a new album.
However, not everything goes exactly to plan. The musicians that Jon finds himself living with are eccentric to say the least, he is the calm amid the storm. As the relationships begin to deteriorate within the group due to “artistic” pressure, one thing plainly comes across, they are all drawn to the enigmatic Frank in one way or another. With this in mind, Jon becomes determined to let the rest of the world hear the sweet music the band continue to perform and entirely believes that if he brings the band on the road, the audiences couldn’t resist Frank. With frayed friendships and a band on the brink of collapse, it seems that Frank and the Soronprfbs may not be ready for the limelight.
It’s hard to pin point what exactly makes Frank so great but it most certainly starts with exceptional casting. Fassbender, hot off a brilliant awards season trail is unlike you have ever seen him before. As Frank, he must convey all of his emotions without the audience ever being able to see his face; he spends most of the film inside a fibre glass head. His performance is perfect, heartbreaking, emotional and so engaging, it’s hard to believe you can’t see him when you understand completely how he feels. Gleeson as Jon is exceptional, a difficult role to play considering that he is the most sane in the group, the one that continues to hold it all together. On top of that, Gyllenhaal and Scott McNairy are perfect back-up to one of the craziest but sweetest relationships we have seen on the big screen.
As well as a cast to die for, the script, written by Jon Ronson, is perfect, both funny and incredibly sad. In fact, the script is something that all the actors have mentioned continuously in interviews about their involvement in the project. It can bring us to the depths of sadness and yet bring us back up to the laughs which are created so beautifully. It deals with mental health in such an honest and beautiful way that you would give anything to climb into the screen and hug Fassbender. It’s simplistic and conveys so much in just a few words.
Finally, the music is something that ties the entire project together. It is what motivates Frank and a group of “outsiders” and it highlights the connection with the audience. It is exactly as indie as you could imagine it to be, an expression of art, yet with a tune you find yourself humming on the way out the door. The actors learned to play their individual instruments which just highlights their commitment to their roles. That last song that Fassbender sings in the bar? If you don’t cry, you are made of stone.
One of the finest Irish films ever made, a joy to watch, just exceptionally brilliant.
