Synopsis
Nine-year-old Frankie and his single mum Lizzie have been on the move ever since Frankie can remember, most recently arriving in a seaside Scottish town. Wanting to protect her deaf son from the truth that they've run away from his father, Lizzie has invented a story that he is away at sea on the HMS Accra. Every few weeks, Lizzie writes Frankie a make-believe letter from his father, telling of his adventures in exotic lands. As Frankie tracks the ship's progress around the globe, he discovers that it is due to dock in his hometown. With the real HMS Accra arriving in only a fortnight, Lizzie must choose between telling Frankie the truth or finding the perfect stranger to play Frankie's father for just one day...
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Cast
- Gerard ButlerThe Stranger
- Emily MortimerLizzie
- Jack McElhoneFrankie
- Sharon SmallMarie
- Katy MurphyMiss MacKenzie
- Jayd JohnsonCatriona
- Mary RiggansNell
- Cal MacAninchDavey
- John KazekAlly
- Anne Marie TimoneyJanet
Recommendations
- 80
Chicago Reader
Subtle and graceful directorial debut. - 80
The Hollywood Reporter
The movie is filled with small moments of tenderness, insight and considerable wisdom. - 80
Variety
Material that might have turned to standard dysfunctional family treacle in other hands is given stirring poignancy, warmth and emotional insight in Shona Auerbach's assured first feature. - 75
Rolling Stone
What could have been a sentimental train wreck emerges as a funny and touching portrait of three bruised people. - 70
Film Threat
While the film isn’t completely perfect, director and cinematographer Shona Auerbach shows that she’s a great new filmmaking talent. - 70
The A.V. Club
On its own terms, Dear Frankie works much better than it really has any right to. Auerbach tells a small, contrived story, but gives it the weight of life. - 70
The New York Times
"Miramax porn." The term refers to manipulative tearjerkers like Dear Frankie whose sensitive performances, along with a light dusting of grit, allow them to be marketed as art films. This one is clever enough to fool a lot of people. - 63
ReelViews
The end result is an unremarkable, unmemorable movie that deserves neither praise nor approbation.
