Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@jayp4226]

Marks absolute joy as he remembers the very existence of Frank sidebottom is lovely

[@foolonthehill731]

Frank wasn't surreal. It was the world around him that was off it's head. A wonderful talent who can still make me cry with laughter even now when I feel at my lowest. I hope you finally got your football back from next door Chris 🙂Sleep well man and thank you for the joy X

[@gracetrevett4846]

We were privileged to have a viewing here in Stroud last Sunday, attended by Chris Sievey's brother Martin and his family. I found the film to be extremely balanced with equal focus on both Frank and Chris. Hilarious, shocking and at times deeply emotional. A must see for all, whether you were a fan of him or not.

[@gohumberto]

It's impossible to think of Timperley without singing, "Is this the real life.......or is this just Timperley? He basically put the place on the map.

[@ZuluRomeo]

Oh there's panic on the streets of Timperley Between the post office car torque and NatWest Bank Where the council came and chopped a great big tree down

[@Scripture-Man]

The mist is on the golf course!

[@dogsgobooom]

Mark’s Frank impression is really good. Actually.

[@CS-mo7xp]

you know it is...it really is.

[@Hi-kq1vi]

Sounds more like Mark E Smith really.

[@ZuluRomeo]

@@CS-mo7xp... THANGYEWW!

[@BSAT10]

I remember his TV appearaces including his trainspotting "this one is number 1" "hang on so is this one" reading the first class carriage

[@leeosborne3793]

Haha, that's one I remember too!!! I actually am a trainspotter as well. :) It was on a Saturday morning kids' TV show.

[@styxcreek]

Frank doing The Fall’s Hit the North with David Soul is one of the most brilliantly bonkers things I’ve seen on youtube

[@attentatdefecitdisorder4348]

I'm thinking of a biscuit...

[@the14thearlofgurney84]

I loved Frank Sidebottom back in the day and will be hunting this doc down. You know I will, I really will. Thank you.

[@Scripture-Man]

Fantastic joke.

[@SpencerMoleda]

“It’s a guy in a papier-mâché head with a clothes peg on his nose.” - 5 Stars, The Guardian

[@patrickelliot943]

"close peg"? jfc

[@terrylee9932]

It's a real shame when a reporter from The Guardian can't spell "clothes peg" 🤔

[@SpencerMoleda]

Terry Lee fixed! Patience, folks - I’m only American 😅

[@steveritt]

Frank signed his autograph on my packet of lard in Chelmsford back in the day, still a treasured possesion. The lard melted, eventually.

[@leeosborne3793]

What a lovely story!

[@petemarr824]

Oh yes.. I am one of the backers of the film, and so pleased that it is out there :) I expect you all to go out and see the film, you know you must, you really must.

[@cazharris2152]

Pete Marr I’m also a backer and feel very proud - you know I am, I really am 😀

[@petemarr824]

@@cazharris2152 ahh.. . see you in the end titles then lol ;)

[@yolandajones4990]

Thank you guys and everyone else who backed it - it’s a beautiful film.

[@moodyguymick]

Saw Frank at the Witchwood in Ashton about 20 years ago. Brilliant night !!

[@PB.JACKSON]

I met Chris in 1979 at the Wythenshawe Forum: he was fronting The Freshies and I was the lead singer in a band called Darkroom: Sister Ray were topping the bill that night. I last saw him on Granada TV's Men and Motors channel on a pop quiz Elvis Has Just Left The Building, hosted by Manchester radio presenter Mike Sweeney with Noddy Holder as captain of one team and Clint Boon ad captain of the opposing team. Shows are available on KZbin.

[@tsmith5670]

Frank Sidebottom, not to be confused with the nightmare that was Mr Noseybonk.

[@karmelodion]

Careful what you wish for.. Can " Noseybonk-- the Adrian Hedley story" really be that far behind?

[@leeosborne3793]

​@@karmelodion Don't even go there! ***runs away screaming***

[@mnbv990]

Loved him. A true English eccentric.

[@stevebrindle1724]

Loved the documentary! Frank was the greatest entertainer of his day and every other day since!

[@mrdainase]

It is a fantastic documentary that has this constant feeling of quiet pathos running through all the wit, the rise and then the fall. I still think about the clip when Frank shows a picture of Cliff Richard modelling mens underwear and burst out laughing.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Just found out about this movie and it looks like it's the last day in the cinema (in London) already. Big Frank fan, a precursor to Vic Reeves, Madchester and Alan Partridge

[@leeosborne3793]

I was just thinking that, there's certainly some Sidebottom influence in early Reeves and Mortimer material. It has that very bizarre and surreal edge to it.

[@Scripture-Man]

Who knew Mark Kermode could do such a good impression of Frank Sidebottom! :D

[@hudsonsirheshicks2653]

I was weaned on OINK! Lol I loved that comic - total UK cartoon anarchy at its finest.

[@AdamMcGrath]

OINK was absolutely glorious lol It was easily the maddest British comic ever produced and it just seemed to appear from out of nowhere, I'm so happy to hear that u loved it as much as I did mate!

[@PrincipledUncertainty]

I hope it does him justice. He was our Andy Kaufman.

[@PrincipledUncertainty]

@@saxglend9439 Surreal and terrifying, much like Jeremy.

[@Hi-kq1vi]

Just that Jerry Lawler never piledrove him.

[@IdoruFalls]

@@PrincipledUncertainty melts

[@MrGwaldo]

“Frank Sidebottom in the wrestling match. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah”

[@johngalantini6910]

I was one of the people who backed this film. That was about 7 years ago I think?? Anyway, it’s finally finished and I haven’t seen a copy. Not sure what the hell is going on with it now.

[@johngalantini6910]

So I received a download for the film today, though I really have no time to watch it at the moment

[@thumper8684]

@@johngalantini6910 Was it good?

[@McDandyandy]

it is a beautiful documentary, highly recommend it

[@JapanJohnny2012]

Was in timperley a couple of weeks ago, visiting the folks. The Frank statue is excellent.

[@Ulleskelf]

JapanJohnny2012 It is. It really is.

[@JapanJohnny2012]

@@Ulleskelf completely fantastic!

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Yeah it's well worth a visit to Timperley

[@Scripture-Man]

It definitely is. Thank you.

[@greymatrix.]

Oh blimey!

[@notfranksidebottom3060]

Mark knows his stuff, fantastic!

[@Filtersloth]

I remember Frank from OINK! comics. Frank was always a mystery to me that I've wanted to solve.

[@AdamMcGrath]

How could u ever solve the enigma that is...Frank Sidebottom???

[@marknewbold2583]

Frank was the greatest art project of the late 20th century

[@duncanmac2640]

"No one cared who I was, until I put on the mask"

[@jfergs.3302]

little frank's girlfriend, little denise, did have a head to start with. He could be cavalier about his stuff, and it was robbed one night off the stage. He never replaced it, but did write a Crackin' song about it to the tune of ABBA'S SOS. Check it out :)

[@crazybunkum]

To me the previous Frank film was visually about Frank Sidebottom but seemed to actually be about Captain Beefheart recording Trout Mask Replica. Anyone else?

[@matedwards8226]

What's the film like Mark?

[@dirkmarkham]

so glad this docu has been made. i really objected to "Frank" the movie cause any non-brits didnt realise it was based on a true legend...

[@AdamMcGrath]

Yup, the Jon Ronson movie is a schmaltzy, sanitised, Americanised version of Frank Sidebottom that bears no resemblance to the excellent Steve Sullivan documentary called BEING FRANK: THE CHRIS SIEVEY STORY which is the true story of showbiz legend Frank Sidebottom and is wayyy better than the Ronson cack!

[@mojosbigsticks]

But Mark, what did you think of the film?

[@exhermit]

Seems he hated it :/

[@Scripture-Man]

Maybe he thought it was bobbins?

[@CafeDisco]

Loved the doc. Steve Sullivan did a top job putting all that footage together. Great review as always Mark.

[@stephenbotting673]

What a great stock photo of you there Marcus. Watched this last night on Sky Arts - very enjoyable and fun to see your dad on there talking too.

[@CafeDisco]

@@stephenbotting673 hey man! Great to hear from you! That stock photo really needs to go yes. Hope you're well. Xx

[@ackerjawaka4742]

Watched it again today and also there is a 4 hour 10th anniversary of his death documentary on here that is well worth a watch 😜 you know it is ⚡ it really is 😜

[@jetfromgladiators7382]

Can't wait to see this.

[@guzgrant]

Sidebottom. Was hilarious.

[@channelwright9137]

I loved Little Frank

[@oliverraven]

Who writes the video descriptions for this channel? They don't appear to know the difference between "who's" and "whose".

[@oliverraven]

Or indeed that there are accents on "mâché".

[@Scripture-Man]

Its terrible, they're should of been someone who now's grammar and writting.

[@AdamMcGrath]

Iv onlee theyy cud spelle betterer wee wudd'nt" neede nno grammar nazi onn their casess!

[@AdamMcGrath]

*there

[@MrMmnngghh]

I did a bit of boinky - boink with a Timperley lass whilst on holiday at Butlin's in Minehead. She had Frank's sense of humour, but imagine my relief when she looked nothing like him. After she'd taken off her fake head, of course.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

I just spotted "Little Frank"

[@TheManInTheLongBlackCoat]

Yes but would you recommend it, Mark? You didn’t really say!

[@hypnodelica]

He did, he really did...

[@SIKELL1]

I miss Frank. I miss Chris's genius

[@ufonut1593]

Frank hasent aged a day in 20 years i wonder what lotion he uses?

[@vodkapigeon.4682]

Kermode's impression in so good! This story is like that line from "dark Knight rises" Nobody cared who I was until I put on the mask.

[@carlboys]

Traptacular

[@leejones8582]

I do not wanna speak ill of the dead but I think Chris had narcissistic tendencies especially being in his own world and wanting everyone to like what he liked still a good documentary though.

[@Scripture-Man]

Frank was certainly narcissistic, though I thought that was part of the joke.

[@70sgemsconnolly34]

Kermode is a legend

[@douglaskalberg8899]

I get frustrated just listening to that voice, feels like a nightmare having a career where you can never breathe through your nose.

[@leejones8582]

He had a device put on his nose to make him sound more nasally he was sweating in that head.

[@ericluriergo8251]

Wow!! This Queen really believes he has stumbled upon Genius-it borders on Obsession and Adderall overdose. Bet he never gave Chris the 😂time of day until he could could profit!!