Frank

Frank (2014) Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy; Directed by Leonard Abrahamsom

Header Image Source: Wikipedia

CrownJules Concludes:

4 out of 5 Stars
Musical abstract expressionism, and the delicacies of the human mind (I have a certificate)…

Format Reviewed: VoD/Streaming

Spoiler Free Review:
We all wear masks.  Some of us put on make-up, others just a smile. One man wears a giant fake head.  Are we projecting who we really are?  Or hiding it?  If we’re hiding one part of ourselves, does that liberate us to open up in other ways?

This movie poses many questions; it doesn’t necessarily answer them.

The keyboard player of the misfit band “SORONPRFBS” (pronunciation open to interpretation) tries to drown himself in the sea.  Jon takes this opportunity to join the band, not entirely sure what he’s getting himself in for.  The events of the film are shown via Jon’s narrative.  The band’s style is largely improvisational, poetic, and abstract; the front man is Frank, the man beneath that iconic mask.

When I first watched this movie, I wasn’t sure if I enjoyed the overall story, but something piqued my interest so I had to give it a second go.  I find the process of creating music fascinating, having attempted it myself – with disastrous results, I might add!  The creative process is illustrated here to great effect.  I don’t particularly find the music they create enjoyable as such, but definitely interesting.  The lyrics seem random but are loaded with deeper meanings about the state of the human psyche.  Well, one song did speak to me: “lone standing tuft”.  I think it’s very cute.

Each of the other band members, Don, Clara, Baraque, Nana, have their own issues; past and present traumas.  Separate, they appear lost.  It’s Frank who binds them together.  But is he ultimately strong enough to do that?