Mark Kermode reviews Frank

[@tvvaindriver]

This film was one of the best films I've seen in a while. Music fans should prioritize this. The connections that disconnected people can make... God that song at the end is so damn catchy. I... love you all.

[@bubblezovlove7213]

Frank made me cry. I felt such a closeness to him in the film. I felt like he was me. Odd but brilliant but invisible. Such a touching film.

[@tactictoe]

Yeah, Kermode IS a little emotional toward the end. And to that I say good on him. The final scene(s) are properly moving.

[@tactictoe]

In hindsight, I think he just had a frog in his throat...

[@AlisonBryen]

@@tactictoe I love that you came back to this video and changed your mind two years later. Anymore thoughts on this matter 🤣? Edit: FWIW I think he just had a frog in his throat. 🐸

[@tactictoe]

@@AlisonBryen I think I'm happy to settle on my updated stance regarding this matter 😅

[@tactictoe]

@@AlisonBryen I think this came up as a recommended video two years later, saw my comment and thought 'nah, you're well off the mark there'. (No pun intended) And I couldn't let it lie...

[@AlisonBryen]

@@tactictoe This may be the first documented case of somebody on the internet admitting they were wrong! 😂

[@mintyvision8464]

Great film. Really worth watching.

[@aaronbarr7935]

“Frankly, if everyone saw this instead of ‘Bad Neighbors’, the world would be a better place.” is an excellent line to end this video on. Well done.

[@adamjarvis9954]

Love it

[@akshayhere]

Not hard to see why.

[@JohnSpawn1]

I only watched the last 40-50 seconds to hear a summary of his opinion and it seems like he's crying :-)

[@agamemnom]

maybe it was trapped gas?

[@JSEP1991]

Seems more like indigestion

[@trinkybinky]

I like Mark Kermode and his reviews. I think would probably enjoy the film Frank, but there is a little bit of me that is unsure: Frank Sidebottom used to freak me out more than a little, which I thought was due to his head. I have looked at clips of the film and thought it not so freaky, but then watched clips of the actual Frank Side bottom and my childhood/early teenage terror comes flooding back, transporting me back to the late 80s and early 90s.... I think perhaps it was a mix of his voice and his head... that, and he was mental.

[@TheMemoman]

Yes, tragic is the word I was looking for! I felt bad, sad, abused when the credits rolled. I hated Jon by the end of the movie. I never really liked Domhnall performance throughout the film, I thought he was not up to par emotionally and was rather stiff and prosaic, but at least through the script the character evolved into a cancer of pure hurt. His very brief, underacted, moral redemption really fell short after all the suffering and division he caused. Always making surreptitious moves to further his goals. Jon basically abused and exploited a mentally challenged man for his own greed and ambition, isolating him from his close collaborators and friends. Frank, was played wonderfully by Fassbender, who, even with the mask on for 99% of the movie, was able to effectively convey every single nuance and endearing emotion, and without the mask, he broke my heart. Fassbender really carried the fragility of the movie's emotional core.

[@TheBMAN541]

I don't know........ Jon actually reminds me of myself And actually, I was really happy to see the credits roll in the end of the movie. I wouldn't say Jon was taking advantage of them, he was really presumptuous with his goal into becoming a really great musician, But then soon realizes that not everyone can become a great artist, but really a great artist can come from anywhere. He tried really hard into becoming Frank, he knew it was impossible to accomplish. Because you can't become someone your not. Frank was happy despite with being with his ''friends'' who have mental issues. And Jon realize that as well. They were two different people. Just what the drummer had said. But knowing Frank was showing an actually expression on his face, idk why but it really made me happy! it seemed like he was shy of what the world would think of him. And maybe shows how beautiful you are when you are expressing yourself. Because your talents should never stay buried. I didn't like his music either but it made me smile knowing Frank really enjoy the times had making them. Maybe I'm wrong about this..but idc. This movie actually is what I needed to know about finding something special.... In the end of the day, it's the things you love doing that makes every minute of your life more precious :).

[@spanishforyou123]

I believe that was the point. Jon was a dick and we're not supposed to care for him at all. He never fit in with the group. He was the definition of a someone who jumps on the bandwagon. The true heart of the piece lies in Frank.

[@elspoko]

TheMemoman I agree with your opinion about Jon, but I think it was done on purpose. Remember near the end when the dad explained that he had created his first mask, and that in doing so he was enabling the mental illness Frank suffers? I think the same can be said about Jon, who represents the Everyman. He wanted to be famous so bad, that when he was given a small taste (first mask) he went overboard. He was sick for fame, as was hinted at by one of the other characters. You don't hate the sick. You can't because they are the weak ones. We are those ones. We want, we hashtag, we post comments, we critique, we talk about creating, we use highfalutin talk but in the end, we don't create.

[@elspoko]

TheMemoman You know, I've watched the movie twice again now, and must say, I don't feel so negatively towards Jon. He showed Frank the world. He took the wool(mask) away from his eyes. And you know what? Frank still lived. He's still singing, wiser from his journey. He doesn't have the monkey on his back of wanting fame anymore. He's free to really create without the mayfly of distraction. That's a gift Jon gave him. Good gifts teach lifelong lessons, and I think the gift will live with Frank forever and make him the artist he was really meant to be.

[@TheMemoman]

That's certainly an interesting lecture. After all the damage done, Frank was left better off.

[@AlisonBryen]

I absolutely love this film.

[@thecrikster]

I love the idea of a film that is part "the making of Troutmask Replica" (even if its not my favorite Beefheart album)

[@thecrikster]

Yes, well obviously the music in this film is nothing like TMR. I did say the film was about the "making of" as opposed the actual album itself. It rather tedious that you immediately turn this into a hipster flame war about which beefheart record is the best. Nobody cares. As you say yourself, it's a review page. Let's just keep it to film reviews though please?

[@thecrikster]

Anyway,I liked the film. Even if it does dumb down the concepts of an obsessed and demanding band leader. It was fun and engaging. I would also welcome an actual documentary on the making of TMR. This film made me realize this. Perhaps that is why I like it.

[@seanelgie]

Frank describing his facials expressions in conversation was the best part of the movie hahaha so good.

[@simonxag]

Kermode is a musician (among other things) and he loved the movie. I've just watched it on Netflix with friends and I was the only musician in the room. Guess who was the only one to like it? Much of the tragedy and nearly all of the comedy in this movie requires the viewer to know so much.

[@Pointingtothereality]

simonxag I disagree, your friends might just be tasteless cretins

[@simonxag]

Thank you, I shall inform them of your opinion. :-)

[@elleoneiram]

simonxag I think also people who struggle with mental illness or who know people who do? Because a lot of reviews seem to miss the point or have somewhat offensive takes on the film. Then again, perhaps the film is good because everyone responds to it so differently.

[@razmataz13drums]

simonxag haha, yeah im no musician, absolutely adored the music but even if you didn't its just interesting! and so charming

[@johnholmeswebb8162]

I totaly agree, the only other people i know that loved this movie as much as me, are other musicians.

[@RominaJones]

You've sold me on it.

[@anameyoucantremember]

I would have paid good money to see Fassbender as Magneto humming "I Love You All" to put her daughter to bed in X-Men Apocalypse.. "Where did you learn that song, papa?" "I was in a band once" xD

[@chrishinsdale]

Oh Kermode's in a band he gets it.

[@user-xk2hs9qu8m]

Please do a top 5 films about bands. Having just seen this, I imagine Frank should be included.

[@chrismac2234]

I'm old enough to remember frank sidebottom. I loved Frank. Every one wants to be Frank, but their can only be one Frank.

[@ackerjawaka1966]

You know he did, he really did 😜

[@explanationmark_]

one of the films that made me realise what films could be as an art form

[@krisinsaigon]

I grew up in Manchester and Frank Sidebottom used to be on the TV a lot I hear this is a great movie, but I just can’t get over that the Frank character doesn’t have a Manchester accent, there is something so incredibly odd for me about seeing that head and not hearing a Manchester accent

[@arianrhodhyde7482]

mark actually has two degrees of separation from the o.g frank, i think, as he worked on the mark and lard graveyard shift programme. incidentally that programme had an incredibly high quotient of marks and marcs. lamarr, riley, radcliffe and kermode...

[@kevinbill9574]

'Frank' has poignancy coming out the wazoo

[@malmwest1832]

wow this movie really didn't land for me like it did for everyone else, damn

[@stephensutton5321]

@TheBrabon1 Splendid idea

[@jetashltd]

How many film references can one review make

[@alexives9274]

the movie about you got to find your calling in life or be sad even if you think your happy i seen a lot of kurt cobain in this movie good film.bad neighbours sucked

[@abdiomar3765]

I get the sense the good doctor loved this film ☺️

[@The3rdGunman]

It's actually pronounced something more like "GEE-Lan-All"....Jake said it that way once on Conan.

[@potterj09]

Defend the galactic perimeter !!!!!!

[@Dinosreviews]

Sadly I would love to see it, but none of the cinemas near me are showing it.

[@Infametheus]

Watch it on Netflix!

[@danielelford6767]

Their name is YIL-EN-HALLA

[@z0uLess]

I wish I could just be, like the people in this movie. And its not strange at all, the rest of the world is strange -- not this.

[@thecomplexindividual]

I agree with the doctor

[@PilsnerGrip]

Just watched it, heard nothing about the real life inspirations. It's a great movie and it's kinda hard to make a movie with it's main character, from which point of view's it's told, that is kinda unlikable and make it work. I love you all is an instant classic.

[@judsongaiden9878]

Jon did nothing wrong. He was the only one with any sense of conscientiousness which could have given focus to the band's chaos (or "Bedlam" if you prefer a British term) IF the rest of the band could have stuck to a plan.

[@newtalexander]

But that's not what the band was about. Jon used the band for his own aims instead of thinking about the people inside of it

[@AbbasAli-dg1ez]

Saw it. Slow moving at times, frustrating in places, but it is rewarding viewing. And good to support an indie movie at the cinema, so see it if you can.

[@DuderinoDeux]

Jim Carey for Franks biopic.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

Just....no

[@DuderinoDeux]

@@zaphodbeeblebrox9109 he is a Master of voices.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox9109]

@@DuderinoDeux but Frank/chris is small town northern england and not many people "get it". Jim is a bit mainstream and i dont think would do it justice although he may do a fair impression. I think it would be better done by brit, someone with a similar "outsider" sense of humour.

[@tk422-7]

Never trust a man who puts on a suit in the a.m.

[@NPThirteen]

I'd love to see this instead of Bad Neighbours, but the only cinema showing it near me is the Electric, who won't let you in unless you're over 18 😡

[@joelcooney104]

I'm slightly less effusive with my praise, but I did enjoy it. I think Mark was giving it a slightly easier ride than it would probably merit if it weren't an interesting subject close to his heart. If you saw the other Jon Ronson driven film "The Men Who Stare At Goats", you'll probably recognise the flaws here. Like that film (and unlike Mark's assertion) I think it gets some of the zany comedic tone wrong - sometimes it veers too much into slapstick and silliness (the attempted drowning sequence at the start, the log throwing scene), which jarrs with the darker elements. For this sort of material, you either go all out daft and parodic - ala "Walk Hard" or keep it funny but grounded like "24 Hour Party People". The narration in particular is grating at times and mostly unnecessary (isn't it Kermode who often says "show rather than tell"?) There's also a whole bunch of gimmicky references to modern technology - twitter and youtube, including the irritating copying of Sherlock's on-screen text pop-ups, which is in my view misjudged and will date the picture badly in future. There are also some ancilliary characters which are really badly drawn. I also think Mark has failed to highlight what in my view is one of the central themes of the film. Genius is only obvious when placed in contrast to mediocrity. The realisation that ability is a necessary but insufficient requirement for true creativity is key to understanding the film's message - not everyone gets to win a prize - which is something an american-made film probably couldn't get away with concluding. I do agree with him that its probably the closest thing you'll get to a Captain Beefheart or Daniel Johnson biopic; it reminded me quite a lot of Velvet Goldmine in that regard. Again, a good film which is definitely worth watching, but not without faults.

[@ПетрИванов-е3ю]

In

[@soundslave]

I lived through the 90s and never saw Frank Sidebottom at all. Does it really need a film?

[@megadrummer3]

Srry I don't see the film as a tragedy.

[@blueconcretezebra]

I watched this. It was terrible.

[@malmwest1832]

wow this movie really didn't land for me like it did for everyone else, damn

[@andyzhang7890]

Same, I just watched it and I'm marathoning movie reviews on it trying and understand it

[@runrig97]

It isn't for everyone...he says that in the review.