Review of Frank (2014) by Mahmus — 25 Sep 2020

Jon wants to be a musician; there's only one problem: he sucks at it.

Frank is a musical genius; capable of coming up with a great song in a matter of seconds. He also suffers from a mental illness and always wears a giant paper mache head.

Jon really wants to be like him.

As someome with practically no musical talent, I completely relate with Jon's frustation and feelings towards Frank. Like a mix of jealousy and admiration.

I love how this film explores this feeling I often get, that because I didn't have a tragic past, I somehow don't deserve to be succesful. Like I haven't earned it. Of course, this is all ****.

Initially, Jon would love to have a tragic past or a mental illness, because that way he feels he will finally succeed as an artist, like Frank.

But as it's so heartbreakingly revealed to him, Frank's condition isn't some cool quirk that made him talented, but a real illness that must be taken seriously, which is something he never did.

This movie is a truly underrated gem and features one of Michael Fassbender's best performances, and you almost never see his face.

The final scene, when they sing "I Love You All" is pure perfection and it always makes me feel like crying.