Posted on February 10, 2009 - by Amanda

Dear Frankie

This is the first in a sporadic series of movie reviews we will be offering from Ms. Amy Bruggeman. We will only be reviewing foreign or independent films. If you have a suggestion for us, please drop a line in the comments.

Movie review: Dear Frankie (2004)

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama

The gist: Nine-year-old Frankie (Jack McElhone) moves from place to place, along with his mum (Emily Mortimer) and grandmum (Mary Riggans). Seems the only constant in his life are the letters he receives from his estranged father. The letters speak of far-off lands and great adventures at sea. But it is not his father who pens the letters – it’s his mother. She writes them to save her son from a horrible truth; she writes them to receive his replies and “hear his voice”. When the ship she invented is set to dock in the seaside town where they reside, she must make a choice: tell Frankie the truth, or hire a stranger (Gerard Butler) to pose as his father for a day. Her decision will change all their lives forever.

Our take: Everything from the screenplay (Andrea Gibb) to directing (Shone Auerbach) is simply wonderful. This film was obviously made with great care and deliberation. The setting provides a backdrop for the overall feel of the movie. Despite the serious tone, the writing is heartfelt and uplifting. Jack McElhone deserves special mention for his compelling portrayal of young Frankie – though all the actors/actresses give superb performances. Even the minor characters find a way to your heart. Quite simply, Dear Frankie is a film about love – in all its forms – and you’ll be hard pressed not to love it back.

An aside: I’ve heard a rumor that “they” are planning to make an Americanized version of this movie. Personally, I hope the rumor is some sort of cruel joke and simply not true. For one, Americanized movies are rarely as successful as their foreign counterparts. Secondly, why? It’s in English for crying out loud. Granted, accented English, but English all the same. So if you’re reading this and you happen to be the one planning such a travesty – just say no. Back away from the remake. There can be but one Dear Frankie. And this is it.