Uncle Frank
Amazon Studios | Release Date (Streaming): November 25, 2020
7.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
22
Mixed:
9
Negative:
3
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
FlorisentNov 26, 2020
It’s a beautifully written movie. It presents the duality of queer joy alongside queer trauma/pain as well as the nuances of acceptance. Heartwarming, tear-jerking, and beautiful. Sophia Lillis did an amazing job, as did Paul and Peter. ThankIt’s a beautifully written movie. It presents the duality of queer joy alongside queer trauma/pain as well as the nuances of acceptance. Heartwarming, tear-jerking, and beautiful. Sophia Lillis did an amazing job, as did Paul and Peter. Thank you, Alan Ball, for a film that doesn't botch the queer experience.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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3
TVJerryNov 28, 2020
This is yet another movie where the trailer looks like a saucy comedy, but the reality is a dreary coming out story. Paul Bettany plays the uncle who’s been living with his boyfriend in 70s New York. When his precocious niece comes toThis is yet another movie where the trailer looks like a saucy comedy, but the reality is a dreary coming out story. Paul Bettany plays the uncle who’s been living with his boyfriend in 70s New York. When his precocious niece comes to college, she discovers the situation. Then trauma rises back home and they return to South Carolina. While the performances of this excellent cast are worthwhile, it’s surprising that writer/director Alan Ball is behind this. The tragedy of being gay and dealing with a family rejection might have an impact 40 years ago, but this film now feels wretchedly outdated. To top it off, nothing about the script is remotely original, making it feel more like a bad Hallmark film with a good cast.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
bertobellamyJan 4, 2021
A very bland film about the struggles of being queer. Cliches galore in this film about a closeted gay man that refuses to open up to his family. The niece's point of view is irrelevant despite aiming for a bigger role at the beginning. ThereA very bland film about the struggles of being queer. Cliches galore in this film about a closeted gay man that refuses to open up to his family. The niece's point of view is irrelevant despite aiming for a bigger role at the beginning. There are some laughs and decent performances (the Paul Bettany one), but 'Uncle Frank' is just one more film of the bunch.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
punaFeb 18, 2021
Incredible performances, brilliant writing and directing. Really enjoyed this film!
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
MccartyDec 5, 2020
Heart touching and inspiring! A must see ! Some families are just like these especially in that era ! Great actors
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
everettDec 8, 2020
This is a beautiful film. Pay no mind to those who can't or won't appreciate it for whatever reason. I was so moved, and cared so much about these characters; the actors were rich and sensitive in their portrayals - every single one. IThis is a beautiful film. Pay no mind to those who can't or won't appreciate it for whatever reason. I was so moved, and cared so much about these characters; the actors were rich and sensitive in their portrayals - every single one. I wish there were more films like this one. It began with Alan Ball's usual finely-tuned writing, and everything worked from there. Thank you.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
JLuis_001Dec 5, 2020
The truth is that I wanted to give it a better rating, but unfortunately it offers too little to be more relevant.
Its best attributes are Paul Bettany's performance, and the production is well done, but the story of acceptance of a gayThe truth is that I wanted to give it a better rating, but unfortunately it offers too little to be more relevant.
Its best attributes are Paul Bettany's performance, and the production is well done, but the story of acceptance of a gay person despite its continuing relevance, at least in this film is completely cliche, and ultimately quite forgettable.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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1
Mauro_LanariNov 26, 2020
(Mauro Lanari)
Alan Ball: "I take you to places of the soul that are worth visiting". How much egocentric presumption. An on the road remake of "American Beauty" over 20 years later.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
DawdlingPoetFeb 6, 2022
I expected this to be more of a carefree, funny road trip type of a film than the LGBT guy seeking family acceptance tale that it definitely is. I've nothing against that kind of film but I'd heard it was a comedy drama about a road trip so II expected this to be more of a carefree, funny road trip type of a film than the LGBT guy seeking family acceptance tale that it definitely is. I've nothing against that kind of film but I'd heard it was a comedy drama about a road trip so I guess I made the wrong assumptions about it.

As I say, I do appreciate the message/themes and it has a good cast and everything but its certainly cheesy and a bit predictable perhaps...not entirely original and I'm not sure I'd personally categorise it primarily as a comedy. I'd say its more a drama. Its an ok film, yes but nothing amazing really.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
lessacebolaFeb 3, 2021
Um filme com uma ótima critica social e com momentos realmente pesados e emocionantes. Íncrível.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Dan_BJan 27, 2021
(Español / ENglish)

Abstract Español El reencuentro con la culpa, el dolor y la pérdida Este drama sobre el reencuentro de un profesor universitario gay con su conservadora familia en los años 70s funciona mejor en su primera mitad, donde(Español / ENglish)

Abstract Español

El reencuentro con la culpa, el dolor y la pérdida

Este drama sobre el reencuentro de un profesor universitario gay con su conservadora familia en los años 70s funciona mejor en su primera mitad, donde su tono contenido y sobrio se corresponde con el de su protagonista. Es cuando se cargan las tintas que el relato se vuelve más convencional. De todos modos, la película se sostiene por la muy buena la labor de su elenco, en particular de Paul Bettany, cuyo Frank describe un arco que va de una placidez distante y preventiva al dolor más desgarrador.

English Abstract

The reunion with guilt, pain and loss
This drama about a gay college professor's reunion with his conservative family in the 1970s works best in its first half, where its restrained and sober tone matches that of its protagonist. It is when the inks are loaded that the story becomes more conventional.

Anyway, the film is sustained by the very good work of its cast, particularly Paul Bettany, whose Frank describes an arc that goes from a distant and preventive placidity to the most heartbreaking pain.

Reseña Español
Frank (Paul Bettany) es un profesor universitario gay que vive con su pareja Walid (Peter Macdissi) en Nueva York a principios de los años 70s. Ante la muerte de un familiar, debe retornar a su pueblo natal de Carolina del Sur, acompañado por su sobrina Beth (Sophia Lillis, protagonista de la muy buena serie Esta mierda me supera/ I Am Not Okay With This y presente en It y Sharp Objects), lo que implica un traumático reencuentro con su pasado.
La película de Alan Ball recorre el tópico bastante transitado de la conflictiva relación de un varón homosexual con su familia y en particular con su padre. Frank no ha cortado lazos con su familia, pero se mantiene lejos de ella y le oculta celosamente su vida.
La película funciona mejor en su primera mitad durante el planteo del statu quo anterior al viaje del protagonista, con situaciones que incluso bordean la comedia. Luego mantiene cierto precario equilibrio durante su segmento “road movie”. Es en el reencuentro de Frank con su familia cristiana y conservadora e irrumpen hechos de su pasado donde cambia el tono de la película, con el relato entrando en un territorio más dramático, pero también más convencional. Se podrá decir que esas etapas se corresponden con la evolución del protagonista, pero están mejor tratadas las primeras.
De todos modos, la película se sostiene por la labor de su protagonista, en un arco que va de una placidez distante y preventiva al dolor más desgarrador

English Review

Frank (Paul Bettany) is a gay college professor who lives with his partner Walid (Peter Macdissi) in New York in the early 1970s. Before the death of a relative, he must return to his hometown of South Carolina, accompanied by his niece Beth (Sophia Lillis, protagonist of the very good series This **** surpasses me / I Am Not Okay With This and present in It and Sharp Objects), which implies a traumatic reencounter with his past.

Alan Ball's film covers the well-traveled topic of the conflictive relationship of a homosexual male with his family and in particular with his father. Frank has not cut ties with his family, but is staying away from her and jealously hiding his life from him.

The film works best in its first half during the raising of the status quo prior to the protagonist's journey, with situations that even border on comedy. Then he maintains a certain precarious balance during his “road movie” segment. It is in Frank's reunion with his Christian and conservative family and events from his past erupt that the tone of the film changes, with the story entering more dramatic, but also more conventional territory. It could be said that these stages correspond to the evolution of the protagonist, but the first ones are better treated.

Anyway, the film is sustained by its cast, in particular by the work of its protagonist, in an arc that goes from a distant and preventive placidity to the most heartbreaking pain.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Patrick333Dec 18, 2020
A movie that underscores the immediate pain a gay person has to confront in coming out to their nongay family and friends. But the pain diminishes once confronted- it's heart constriction but so necessary for relief of stress. For those whoA movie that underscores the immediate pain a gay person has to confront in coming out to their nongay family and friends. But the pain diminishes once confronted- it's heart constriction but so necessary for relief of stress. For those who "need" the consent of family and old friends it's a life passage… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
JustezenuDec 19, 2020
I've read the critic's reviews and in this case they have it wrong with an average of around 5. This movie is brilliant and pulls all the heart strings. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the acting was superb. I don't rate movies but this movieI've read the critic's reviews and in this case they have it wrong with an average of around 5. This movie is brilliant and pulls all the heart strings. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the acting was superb. I don't rate movies but this movie made me want to join and give it a 10/10.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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