Review of Frank (2014) by Diego T — 19 Sep 2014

There's a certain genre of film that there should be a word for (but there isn't) in which the protagonist is a disciple of the more interesting and complex character. And yes, there should be a word for it, because movies like this (Fight Club and The Grand Budapest Hotel come to mind) are consistently spectacular. Not only do they give great creative leeway for writers to invent characters, but they also give a sense of detachment from the character who is the central focus of the film. This is highly effective in giving these characters the appearance of being something more than human-- There is something elusive about them, in an indescribable way, and much like the genre of film they star in, there isn't a word for them either.

Frank is one such film. This movie is told from the point of view of an aspiring musician who comes across the enigmatic Frank, a "cutting-edge" songwriter who wears a fake head. This premise might seem weird or unrealistic, but if you think that this level of avant-garde artistic self-righteousness is too silly, I have two words for you: Daft Punk. Frank is certainly a confounding individual. He seems to be a perfectly normal, functioning member of society, save for the fact that he wears his fake head all the time. Showering, eating, singing, sleeping-- He never takes it off.

This begs the obvious question: What the hell is wrong with this man? But Michael Fassbender, who gives a spectacular performance from beneath Frank's mask, brings such depth and emotional realism to the character that you often forget he's supposed to be crazy. The film's dark humor is also spectacular; some of the best to hit theaters since In Bruges. It juggles themes about fame, death, and mental illness, all while maintaining its quirky tone. The film's protagonist, Jon, drives the plot forward as he influences Frank and fills his head (no pun intended) with thoughts of fame. Maggie Gyllenhaal also does a fine job despite her cabbage-patch face, and plays a band member who straddles the line between eccentric and downright batshit insane.

Still though, it's Fassbender who truly shines in this movie. His fragile personality makes him one of the most saddening and relatable characters to grace cinemas this year. At his core, he's just a guy who wants nothing more than to be liked. He is so easily swayed by the ebb and flow of popularity that you have to wonder just how on Earth he made it this far in life. And then the obvious answer is staring at you in the face (literally). His mask. Like a turtle's shell, Frank's mask acts as his personal home; his happy place. He has gone through his whole life cooped up inside the head, and has therefore never had to truly go through a stage of isolation, loneliness, or hardship-- Whenever he's scared or sad, he can retreat back into his shell. And as a result, he's never grown up. Frank is like a child trapped in a grown man's body.

The musical score for this movie is also great. Somehow, the writers were able to craft half a dozen songs for Frank that sound just weird enough to be pop songs but are still edgy and demented enough to work for the purposes of his character. While listening to the songs ("I Love You All" stands out to me specifically), it was hard for me to formulate an opinion on them. They were weird and quirky, yes, but were they actually good? I don't know. Others may not have had the same reaction, but personally I thought it contributed a lot to the ambiguity of the film. Is Frank a musical genius? It's really difficult to say.

Final Score for Frank: 8/10 stars. This movie is quite an experience to watch, and its glorious weirdness and quirkiness place it high in the running on my Best Films of 2014 list. Even when it hits the occasional lull, Frank is never boring (how could it be?). No, every minute clicks along with deliciously original dark humor and compelling characters. Truly a must-see film for all those seeking to track down the best movies of the year.