Review of Dear Frankie (2004) by Manny C — 11 Apr 2011

Check it out, King Leonidas has a soft side. Actually, this quiet little drama was released long before Gerard Butler became a household name by playing the Spartan king, and it's possibly his finest on screen role.

Butler is a Scottish sailor hired by Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) to pretend to be the father of her son Frankie (Jake McElhone). Frankie is deaf, living with his mother just outside Glasgow and only knows his father through letters delivered from a cargo ship.

Only thing is Lizzie herself writes the letters to protect him from the truth about his father's identity. The whole thing sounds like a set-up for sentimental treacle, but instead it's a touching and emotionally bruising film.

Debuting director Shona Auerbach lets the edges play out in the script by Andrea Gibbs. Auerbach, a former photographer, shows us real, lived-in Scotland, as well as genuine lived-in actors. Mortimer is just astounding as Lizzie, mining long-buried feelings an secrets within her.

And Butler is stupendous alongside McElhone, a genuine child talent. Here's a film that takes its time, and refuses to give easy answers. It's a small gift.