Frank [Blu-ray]

The thin line between creative genius and insanity is walked with humor and poignancy in Frank, a quirky tribute to those bands that live on the musical margins where practically nobody can find them. When those bands dare to compromise and make their way into the mainstream, what gets lost in the pursuit of acceptance? The most unlikely music biopic you're ever likely to find, Frank asks that question and many more while honoring those who have journeyed to the "far corners" of artistic expression.Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) is a bored office worker in a small, English town where nothing ever happens. He aspires to be a musician and songwriter, but can't find his own unique voice to express it, so he writes bland little songs about his bland little town, while also wishing he had some sort of troubled childhood to inspire him. He spends much of his time tweeting about nothing important to his handful of followers, and wishing something...anything...will turn things around for him. Practically on cue, he chances upon a man trying to drown himself in the ocean. Turns out he's the keyboardist for a band playing in town, the unpronounceable Soronprfbs, and Jon mentions off-hand that he has a few skills in that area. The band's goofy manager Don (Scoot McNairy) asks "You play C, F, and G?", and replying in the affirmative, suddenly Jon is a part of the strangest little family on the planet, but not everybody is happy to see him there.Discovering that the band's leader, Frank (Michael Fassbender), wears a fake papier-mâché head all hours of the day is disconcerting at first, but Jon soon discovers that he's something of a musical savant. An aimless one whose style is too idiosyncratic for mass appeal, perhaps, but there is genius inside that giant dome of a head with the apple pie eyes and emotionless expression. Thinking they were getting away merely for a weekend, Jon instead sticks around at a cabin retreat for months while the band records their first album. Since they have no money, Jon gives up his nest egg to help them out, while also recording the sessions and posting them online to help generate buzz. His attempts to gain the group some fans draws the ire of Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the team's eternally negative Theremin player, whose focus is solely on maintaining the band's place on the fringes. Much of the film's humor comes from their exchanges as she systematically ostracizes him from the other band members, while Frank seems enamored at the idea of actually having fans. As their YouTube followers expand, Jon books them a potentially star-making spot at SXSW, which causes greater ideological clashes between authenticity and viability.Unlike any film about musicians I have ever seen, it's not necessarily a downer like the Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis, which was all about one man's inevitable failure. Nor is it necessarily a familiar tale of a group hitting their creative stride and finding legions of adoring fans. It's about how one goes about finding their own signature voice, and embracing one's unique qualities rather than pretending they don't exist. The Soronprfbs' problems, at least from a musical standpoint because they have plenty of personal ones, don't begin until Jon starts to compromise everything they stood for. They may be a chaotic mess of conflicting egos and personalities, but at least they are authentic.At the same time, the film speaks to the issue of mental illness, with the child-like Frank at the center of it. A number of the group's members met in a mental ward, and we see the impact this life of a musician can have on an unstable mind. Fortunately, the film doesn't spend too much time trying to explain why Frank exists underneath that giant head. It's enough to assume that it's some sort of defensive measure or shell against the world. Writer Jon Ronson, who based the story on his own experiences with the real-life band led by Chris Sievey, chooses to honor their eccentricities, recognizing it's what makes Frank and Soronprfbs special.Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, the film is much like the band itself; chaotic, unpredictable, and utterly lovable. The music is catchy if a little bit messy, but it's especially good when you consider every actor is performing it live. In his most complicated role yet, Fassbender shows his acting mettle in a role where his face is barely ever seen, and yet he's a commanding presence still. Gyllenhaal steals the show as the angry and mercurial Clara, while Gleeson continues to assert himself as a stable leading man presence.While some will consider Frank a little too "out there", those who embrace its peculiarities will find it a rare gem of a film that defies expectations and celebrates inventiveness above all.Frank opens in theaters on August 15th.

I was skeptical of this movie. After watching it, I was fascinated. It is very weird and many of the characters are not likeable. Frank is reportedly a musical genius, but I didn't buy it while watching. Now I am certain he was. Most importantly, this film caused me to find out what I could about Frank Sidebottom, who this film is loosely based on. Aside from the big head, the connection seems tenuous. After watching a lot of videos of Frank Sidebottom, I see a greater connection. Both Franks have maintained that connection to wonderment and creativity that most of us have lost as we grew up. It seems childish and disjointed. That is the genius of it. Frank is not a mean, negative, sarcastic, out there person. He is open and generous and ready to explore anything. The rest of Frank's band projects their own world onto Frank. He gives them permission to explore and be what they are. They become very protective of Frank and guard him quite jealously. Maybe what they are protecting is the universe they've created around Frank. I see this in both the musical Frank of this film and in the Frank Sidebottom character. To me, the brilliant song "I love you all" perfectly encapsulates this. When I first heard it, I thought the lyrics were totally wacky and a send-up of pretentious artists. The song worked its way into my consciousness and now permanently resides there. I see the verses as a brilliant reflection of the chorus. The verses are a list of things one might see. The chorus says simply, I love you all. This incomprehensible litany of nouns and adjectives merely describes a wonderment of the world around us. It is all fantastic. Our egos and fears and preconceptions get in the way. I am enriched by entering this crazy world of Frank and Frank Sidebottom. Watch the videos of Frank Sidebottom that Chris Sieve left behind and then watch this film. It may not make sense at first, but it will add an extra dimension. Time for me to watch Frank again!

What a great movie. It's a smart comedy For people that like quality music. It's emotional, funny and has a fantastic sound track. As a lover of film and music I highly recommend it.

vg excellent

Una de las mejores películas que he visto en mi vida que tengan alguna relación con la música.

Es kommt nicht oft vor, dass ich Rezensionen schreibe, aber manchmal kribbelt's in den Fingern, insbesondere dann, wenn ich etwas ganz Außergewöhnliches gesehen habe, das unbedingt weiterempfohlen werden muss - wie in diesem Falle!Ich schaue gelegentlich auf Amazon-Prime Filme und nutze manchmal die Möglichkeit, einen weiteren Channel kostenlos für 14 Tage zu testen. Dies tat ich nun wieder und entdeckte diese cineastische Perle! Bisher habe ich nicht viele Filme mit Michael Fassbender geschaut, aber jene, die ich sah, waren immer von einer beeindruckenden Darstellung seinerseits geprägt. Daher dachte ich mir: "Wenn der Fassbender da mitspielt, kann der Film nicht allzu schlecht sein!". Und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht!Der Film hat mich von Anfang an gefesselt. Die Musik, die Darsteller, das Szenario - alles stimmig und realitätsnahe. Es ist nicht einfach ein Musikfilm, nein, es ist ein kleiner Einblick in die Psyche von Musikern! Musik ist nämlich nicht nur dazu da, Menschen das Geld aus der Tasche zu ziehen, wie es von vielen Pop-Bands gehandhabt wird, sondern für manche Musiker ist diese Kunst eine Therapie! Sich über Musik und Worte auszudrücken, weil es sonst nicht so richtig gelingen oder keiner zuhören will, ist für manche Musiker die einzige Möglichkeit, sich selbst zu therapieren.Ein paar Worte möchte ich zur Story sagen (Achtung: Spoiler-Alarm!): Für Frank (Michael Fassbender) scheint die Band "Soronprfbs", in der er der Frontmann ist, genau das zu sein - eine Therapiegruppe! Dann kommt der Möchtegern-Songwriter Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) durch einen unglücklichen Zufall in diese Gruppe, der - zuvor in einem tristen Leben mit Bürojob fristend -, aber vielmehr den Erfolg, den Ruhm vor Augen hat, und die Band in den Indie-Pop-Himmel bringen möchte, um sich selbst und seine Musik zu verwirklichen. Dies versetzt den Stein ins Rollen, der schließlich die Therapie-Band überrollt und alles Wahrhaftige in ihr zerstört.Ein phantastischer Film und eine großartige Leistung aller mitwirkenden Schauspieler! An manchen Stellen kann man herrlich schmunzeln und lachen, dann wieder gibt es Momente, da bleibt einem die Luft weg - Spitze!P.S.: Ich empfahl meiner Frau den Film, doch die hatte sofort ein Vorurteil, weil sie das Cover mit der Maske gesehen hatte. Muss man(n) wohl nicht verstehen - hier liegt wirklich eine filmische und musikalische Perle vor - zieht sie Euch rein!

Film bellissimo. Lo consiglio soprattutto a chi ama molto la musica e a chi ama suonare e cantare!

Perfecto y sin problemas. La película es increíble. La típica que con los años se convierte en película de culto. La recomiendo.