Review of Frank (2014) by Douglas C — 19 Aug 2014

'Frank' is a film that succeeds almost as much as it misses. While not as successful as some other coming-of-age music films and biopics (Almost Famous, I'm Not There), the strength of the picture rests pretty squarely on Fassbender's capable shoulders.

It is he who translates the mysterious loner, under the guise of a man who wears a paper mace head to escape the brutal realities of super stardom. The narrative focuses itself on Jon's journey and you see his life and his struggles and triumphs over the course of the 11 months he plays with the band.

There are many tear jerking moments and some of them do feel forced and not quite well earned. The unfortunate issue with the film is the sharp and deliberate tonal shift and the film takes a sudden melancholic route that is by turns jarring and diminishing as to what came before it.

You feel for the characters, sure, even Gyllenhaal's nutty Clara who acts as the catalyst for Jon's depressive spells and writer's block. She acts as a wedge instead of a unifying presence and causes the film to splinter in all sorts of directions.

Mostly, the movie never quite figures out what it wants to be. I scratched my head several times throughout especially the end scene where Frank finally removes his head and you see him in all his unabashed nakedness.

It is a heart-wrenching scene and it is fitting. I just wish that scene amounted to the sum of its parts.