Frank
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: August 15, 2014
7.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 189 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
135
Mixed:
39
Negative:
15
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
sammurphy66Sep 24, 2014
Completely bizarre and littered with irreverent off-beat humour, Frank does boast a fantastic performance from Michael Fassbender and a mildly intriguing premise.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
beingryanjudeSep 9, 2014
Frank is nothing you'd ever expect to see. That's part of what makes it such a treat. You'll quickly realize how fun it is to question art vs. popularity.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
ReliablePeerOct 11, 2014
Frank works with a fairly tired premise: Band tries to make it big, but the weird and off-beat characters and premise make it stand out, not necessarily in a good way, from the rest.

The performances range from pretty sub-par to very good,Frank works with a fairly tired premise: Band tries to make it big, but the weird and off-beat characters and premise make it stand out, not necessarily in a good way, from the rest.

The performances range from pretty sub-par to very good, Domhnall Gleeson's turn as Jon is very forgettable. However, Michael Fassbender shines as the titular mask-wearing Frank, who's character is both intriguing and strange. Maggie Gylenhaal's character was extremely annoying, though that was her character so I cannot fault her for that and I guess I can say she got the job done.

The story, along with the band's music, kept me entertained until the third act where I feel the writers jumped the shark. I wont spoil what happens, but the last 30 minutes left me very dissatisfied and I have no doubt it will have the same effect with other people.

Overall, Frank is a watchable band movie that can kill 90 minutes of your time. Although I didn't enjoy the film as much as I thought I would, I do not regret watching it. The standout part of the movie is the band's music, especially the song Secure The Galactic Perimeter. I find this odd as I found the movie's score was irritating and out of place, considering the band's music and score were written by the same person.
Watch this if the concept intrigues you.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
netflicSep 7, 2014
Weird and proud of it, this movie raises questions about art, mental health, talent and absence of it, and many others. Most of characters are so strange that one can't empathize with them.

The seriousness of questions raised shows highWeird and proud of it, this movie raises questions about art, mental health, talent and absence of it, and many others. Most of characters are so strange that one can't empathize with them.

The seriousness of questions raised shows high potential of this movie but the script does not leave much room to implement it. I enjoyed some episodes but overall I would not say that I could recommend it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
duncan1964Mar 24, 2015
When a young man joins an oddball band, with a lead singer who constantly wears a paper mache head, he realises they could be the next big thing - if only he can contain their weirdness and try and make them more 'likeable'. An odd film, toWhen a young man joins an oddball band, with a lead singer who constantly wears a paper mache head, he realises they could be the next big thing - if only he can contain their weirdness and try and make them more 'likeable'. An odd film, to say the very least, it is trying to say something about the cult of celebrity, fame and social media, but at its heart its a film about a man with serious mental health issues. Because of this the whole thing has a underlying sadness and tragedy about it which reaches its peak in an emotional finale. A fascinating watch but ultimately borders on being voyeristic and slightly uncomfertable.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
DukeJonJul 5, 2015
I was expecting a lot better than this. For me the film never really figured out what it wanted to be and, other than the mystery of what's under Frank's fake head, never really held my interest. None of the characters were particularlyI was expecting a lot better than this. For me the film never really figured out what it wanted to be and, other than the mystery of what's under Frank's fake head, never really held my interest. None of the characters were particularly likeable and behaved in ways that never really made much sense. Ended on quite a flat note as well.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
lasttimeisawMay 10, 2015
One major gimmick of Irish director Lenny Abrahamson’s music drama-comedy FRANK is its star Michael Fassbender (the “it” actor presently) will only appear with a giant paper mask containing his head and never reveal himself in the entireOne major gimmick of Irish director Lenny Abrahamson’s music drama-comedy FRANK is its star Michael Fassbender (the “it” actor presently) will only appear with a giant paper mask containing his head and never reveal himself in the entire film, but spoiler alert! It turns out that Lenny cannot keep the promise and allow Fassbender’s sex appeal (his face to be more accurate) to go untapped and be concealed inside that doll head. So in the last ten minutes, when our eccentric titular protagonist Frank (Fassbender) finally reveals himself without his shield to the outside world, a mixed feeling arises, admittedly Fassbender is my favourite actor among his generation, it is a surprise to see his visage (thanks to the deceptive publicity stunt) in the climax scenes of the film, a pathos-exuding music performance of the song I LOVE YOU ALL, written by the composer Stephen Rednecks. However at the same time, a part of me wishes Lenny Abrahamson could have had the guts to let Frank do the scenes with his mask on, keep the eccentricity running until the last drop.

keep reading my review on my blog: please google cinema omnivore, thanks… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Brent_MarchantAug 30, 2014
This dark comedy (which is often more dour than funny) is an ambitious, though largely unsuccessful attempt at a meditation on the merits of inspiration vs. commercialism, talent vs. self-delusion and genius vs. madness. Better pacing, a moreThis dark comedy (which is often more dour than funny) is an ambitious, though largely unsuccessful attempt at a meditation on the merits of inspiration vs. commercialism, talent vs. self-delusion and genius vs. madness. Better pacing, a more coherent narrative and some extensive rewriting (not to mention less misleading marketing) may have helped elevate this project to what it could have been, but what we're left with is a largely half-baked effort in love with its own tragically hip quirkiness.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
tvhandySep 7, 2014
A story of societies outcasts who band together to find sanity & purpose through music. It's not until you look past the surface of these characters that you see that each and everyone is a tremendously flawed human beings.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
inaneswineNov 14, 2017
Confusing at times and relentlessly bizarre, the film is successful in showing how artists can be consumed by their craft, along with giving Domhnall Gleeson another opportunity to display his engaging acting skills.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
ydnar4Sep 19, 2014
Frank is a wacky movie about a musician with a plastic head covering his real features. Despite all the oddities in the plot I was eager to see this film. However it did not live up to my anticipation. Frank cannot manage to hold myFrank is a wacky movie about a musician with a plastic head covering his real features. Despite all the oddities in the plot I was eager to see this film. However it did not live up to my anticipation. Frank cannot manage to hold my attention. I found the first half of the movie great but the last half continued to get more and more boring. I felt that Frank was not on display enough in the film. Domhnall Gleeson overshadowed him in the role of Jon. There is some potential in Frank but its not quite what I thought.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
ourtimehascomeJan 2, 2018
Behind the roughly made paper mache mask of the titular Frank, played by a mentally ill Michael Fassbender, is little more than a shallow drama aspiring to be a quirky comedy. Like a modern Great Gatsby without the flair, charisma or theBehind the roughly made paper mache mask of the titular Frank, played by a mentally ill Michael Fassbender, is little more than a shallow drama aspiring to be a quirky comedy. Like a modern Great Gatsby without the flair, charisma or the vitality. It misunderstands such simple concepts such as mental illness and artistry.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
amheretojudgeJun 5, 2018
a non-rhythmic musical act..

Frank As much as eerie and intriguing the concept is; which draws most of the viewers in, the plotline pushes them far away with the equal force. The script is a scattered mess that may have its trajectory ina non-rhythmic musical act..

Frank

As much as eerie and intriguing the concept is; which draws most of the viewers in, the plotline pushes them far away with the equal force. The script is a scattered mess that may have its trajectory in mind that it does follow, but the forcibly installed sequences to spend its time and distract the audience until the moment arrives, is not only ludicrous but also off putting. Addition to that, it fails on technical aspects too, like background score and the camera work which has never been more unimpressive. The writing is sloppy and tacky around the edges and has the least intriguing conversation among questionable characters (except for the protagonist; irony) that are projected in here. Lenny Abrahamson has done a decent work on executing this sinking script and helps it sail off easily to the shore even though the editing isn't up to the mark. The performance objective is what satisfies the viewers by a great cast like Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Fassbender as Frank himself. Having said that, it has its moments where the drama and acting is appreciative that is given a satisfying climax where Fassbender steals the show. Frank is a non-rhythmic musical act that is uneven in its self created pathology and the bubble that it all resides in.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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