Frank (2014)

Jon, a young wanna-be musician, discovers he's bitten off more than he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank.

Director:

Lenny Abrahamson

Writers:

Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan

Stars:

Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal

13 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Domhnall Gleeson	...	Jon Burroughs
Moira Brooker	...	Jon's Mother
Paul Butterworth	...	Jon's Father
Phil Kingston	...	Radio DJ
Billie Traynor	...	Cafe Lady
Shane O'Brien	...	Lucas
Scoot McNairy	...	Don
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Clara
François Civil	...	Baraque
Carla Azar	...	Nana
Chris McHallem	...	Paramedic
Michael Fassbender	...	Frank
Michael James Ford	...	Port Official
Mark Huberman	...	Management Guru
Rosalind Adler	...	German Mother

Storyline

Jon, a young wanna-be musician, discovers he's bitten off more than he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank.

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Plot Keywords:

musician | band | hit by a car | stabbed in the leg | suicide | 

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Taglines:

When you think you've gone far enough, go farther.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

UK Ireland

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

5 September 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frenk

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$341,649 (United Kingdom), 11 May 2014, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,056, 17 August 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$644,906, 5 December 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Element Pictures,Runaway Fridge Productions,Film4

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The production never actually filmed at SXSW; Albuquerque stepped in for Austin.

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Goofs

As the band are in the van driving to the ferry terminal they are shown at a road junction with signs indicating that it is at the A55 and M6 taking a turn off for North Wales. The M6 heads North from the Midlands to Cumbria and at no point is there a junction with the A55 which runs from Chester to Holyhead (where the ferry terminal from Wales to Ireland departs).

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Quotes

Frank: [singing] Stale beer. Fat fucked, smoked out. Cowpoked. Sequined mountain ladies. I love your wall. Put your arms around me. Fiddly digits, itchy britches. I love you all.

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Crazy Credits

The credits roll with colored tiles floating and rotating in the background. At one point for a second, the tiles form Frank's head.

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Connections

References Paris, Texas (1984)

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Soundtracks

Swinging Guitar
Written by Stephen Rennicks

User Reviews

Reminded me why I go to the cinema.

I went to see Frank at the Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton with my wife. I was not expecting much; I tend to dislike rock biopics and the whole premise of man-in-giant-papier-mache-head thing seemed gimmicky.

Frank is wonderful. The comedy is effortless, the dialogue is smart but not pretentious, the performances are elegant and understated. Fassbender is great and the head thing really works for him.

One of the real pleasures of this film is its narrative depth. The story arcs of the protagonists manage to be wholly natural and yet surprisingly subversive. At no point does the film simplify or 'talk down' to the audience.

The music is good too.

Go see it. Go see it while it is still in the cinema.