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Dear Frankie

Play trailer Poster for Dear Frankie PG-13 Released Mar 4, 2005 1h 45m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 111 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Frankie (Jack McElhone) does not know his father because his mother, Lizzie (Emily Mortimer), ran away from the abusive lout when Frankie was just a baby. Instead of telling the truth to her deaf son, she concocts an elaborate lie, telling him that his father is a merchant seaman on the MS Accra. She even writes letters for Frankie posing as his father. But when the actual MS Accra docks in their small Scottish town, Lizzie quickly needs to find a fake father for Frankie.
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Critics Consensus

Dear Frankie is a small, good-hearted film with fine performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Apr 1, 2006 Full Review Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Mortimer, McElhone, and Butler each bring sensitivity and likability to their roles, but they've an uphill battle personifying characters who are, respectively, a clairvoyant, a fantasist, and a fantasy. Rated: 2/5 Apr 17, 2005 Full Review Amy Biancolli Houston Chronicle The pain that's evoked in this small, warm film -- the deep and unspoken yearning of child -- is as universal as it is heartbreaking. Rated: 3/4 Apr 15, 2005 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) A gentle, deeply emotional film, and its strength lies in how wonderfully understated it all is. Feb 13, 2024 Full Review Stuart Gray The List Butler's scenes with Jack McElhone are, like most of Dear Frankie, both unaffected and touching. Rated: 3/5 Apr 23, 2019 Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed With great performances, a simple story, and an original ending, it's well worth watching... Apr 29, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Herb F A hidden jewel available on Kanopy. Wonderful characters well acted in a beautifully photographed area of Scotland. Don't forget to set the subtitles for some tough accents. Also the tissues! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/25/23 Full Review John G A compelling/beautiful performance by Mortimer, is the hinge that holds this romantic "mystery" together. Supporting actors finish the job. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review isla s This is a real 'weepy' of a film, in a good way. The story is lovely and the film didn't feel too over the top, sentimentality wise - ok its a bit sentimental but it wouldn't be right if it wasn't - it isn't choc full of cliches and over the top maudlin music though. I like that it's set in Scotland (where I'm from) and it has a decent cast. I really felt for the characters and enjoyed watching it, so yes, I'd recommend it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The content of movie can be argued as too damn sentimental. But my 3 stars ( alas only, because of content of the movie otherwise would be more stars) are given for one really good thing - maximal effect with minimal means. To tell the dramatic story using so modest and minimal means of expression is a great talent. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review steve d An unsatisfying end hurts a well made, and well acted film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Kind of nice, but mostly sad, and regardless of its kid-at-the-centre intentions it never really feels anything other than about the mother, or possibly actually the director. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Dear Frankie

L-R Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler (From left to right) Emily Mortimer, Jack McElhone and Gerard Butler in Shona Auerbach's DEAR FRANKIE. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Frankie (Jack McElhone) does not know his father because his mother, Lizzie (Emily Mortimer), ran away from the abusive lout when Frankie was just a baby. Instead of telling the truth to her deaf son, she concocts an elaborate lie, telling him that his father is a merchant seaman on the MS Accra. She even writes letters for Frankie posing as his father. But when the actual MS Accra docks in their small Scottish town, Lizzie quickly needs to find a fake father for Frankie.
Director
Shona Auerbach
Producer
Caroline Wood
Screenwriter
Andrea Gibb
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Pathé Pictures, Scorpio Films Ltd.
Rating
PG-13 (Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 4, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.3M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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