DEAR FRANKIE
UK. 2004, 105 minutes, Colour.
Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler, Jack Mc Elhone, Sharon Small.
Directed by Shona Auerbach.
What might have been just another very nice picture of a deaf boy, his struggling single mother and their problems is a very simple and moving film experience. Andrea Gibb's screenplay keeps information back from us which helps us share the struggles and then understand them (especially in a very fine ending). Director and cinematographer (using Glasgow and coast locations) Shona Auerbach is able to keep the proceedings both realistic and emotional with Emily Mortimer credible as the mother (who says that she keeps writing letters from Frankie's absent father so that he will write – the only way she has some access to his voice), Jack McElhone? keeping just the right tone that avoids sentimentality as Frankie. Gerard Butler has the crucial role of the man who is asked to step in as Frankie's dad.
A small film but one which audiences will be glad they saw.
1. An engaging Scottish story? The Glasgow settings, the city and the wharves? Homes, shops? The water?
2. The moving story of a deaf boy, the boy and his appeal, audience interest and sympathy, curiosity as to how he and his mother would handle situations?
3. The title, the device of letters, Frankie writing to his absent dad, tracking on the map the journeys of his ship? The reality of Lizzie writing the letters and sending them to Frankie? Her comment that it was a way of hearing his voice? The impact of the final letter, on Frankie, on Lizzie?
4. The opening, the family moving, trying to settle in? Later information about their movement, Lizzie leaving her husband, taking her mother, her son? To get away from the violent husband? The fact that he had caused Frankie’s deafness? The newspapers and the articles and photos with Lizzie as a missing person? Lizzie and the photo of herself and her husband with his image torn away? The support of her mother? Her mother keeping the newspapers away from Lizzie? Making the phone calls? Finally Lizzie getting the information, arranging to meet Janet, their discussions, the issue of her husband’s violence? The decision to go? The encounter, her refusal for him to see his son? His illness, his vicious antagonism towards her? His saying that it was one mistake and her being unforgiving? Her finally bringing the drawing, the photo of Frankie, giving it to the nurse to give to her husband? The need of this kind of forgiveness, at least for herself and for her bringing up Frankie? The one serious error and the need for forgiveness after being cut off?
5. The initial visit of Frankie to the shops, getting the fish and chips, the note, Marie understanding that he was deaf, her friendliness? Not selling the cigarettes? Lizzie and her coming, her antagonism, Marie and her gentleness? The later discussions, friendship, Marie giving Lizzie the job? Lizzie and her desire to get some help for Frankie, especially with the information about the boat coming to Scotland when she had told him in the letters it was in South Africa? The stranger, Lizzie and the discussions with him, the mission, the promise of payment?
6. Frankie, his age, his coping with his deafness, his hearing aid, his giving the voice-over and the audience having access to his interior thoughts and feelings? Going to school, the head, the teacher and the welcoming, the kids asking about being deaf? His making friends with the girl, with the raucous boy? His being good at geography, knowing where Peru was…? His getting stars in the star competition? His capacity for friendship and sharing? The young boy visiting his room and looking around? The girl, the importance about the cupboard and secrets being hidden there, their looking in the cupboard – and being caught by Lizzie? The young boy with the information about the boat, the bet that his father would come to see him? Frankie willing to bet his stamp collection?
7. Lizzie, her coping with Frankie, with her job, with her mother? Her going out, looking for someone to be Frankie’s father? Her telling Marie, the man and the interview?
8. The day with the man, the immediate bond, his being a good man, the activities, the polished stone and skimming it along the water, eating at Marie’s, the vegetarian issue? The joy of the day? Going to the dance, the man singing, Marie, Lizzie and dancing with the stranger? His going to sleep? The next day, going to the boat, the stranger on the boat, coming down, the farewell? The gift of the seahorse? The effect of the day on Frankie? On Lizzie?
9. Lizzie watching the day, giving the money, permission for the extra time, the dance with the stranger, the kiss – and his not taking the money?
10. The news of her husband’s death?
11. The final letter, Lizzie at the post box expecting nothing, the letter, the explanation? Frankie realising the truth and writing to the stranger? A future?
12. A film about good people, their struggles, strengths and weaknesses, love and forgiveness, hope?
