Although 'Frankie' had a seasoned cast the story and its energy level waned. Marisa Tomei and Greg Kinnear should be enough to carry the story of a movie forward they failed. I'm not familiar with French actress Isabelle Huppert. She played the principal character. The story has her visiting Portugal with only a few months to live. In this story you've got love, marriage and money problems to juggle. It's considered a drama.
The one silver lining could be where the film was shot ... Sintra, Portugal. Sintra is near Lisbon, Portugal and has it's share of castles. Some very picturesque castles. However, this movie was not about the magical castles but Sintra has natural beauty and that helped move 'Frankie' along. This wasn't 'Love Story' or 'Terms of Endearment' with a very compelling story. Instead we have a woman with a few months to live choosing to spend those days with her family and offering some sage advice. Yawn!
Let's say I choose to give 'Frankie another shot. I would already know that love, marriage and money problems are sub plots I'd let those issues serve as my multiple anchors. Of the ten actors giving their all (in this 98 minute drama) Marisa Tomei and Greg Kinnear stood out. They both have strong resumes: Marisa Tomei was amazingly funny in 'My Cousin Vinny'; Greg Kinnear played a distraught gay man in 'As Good As It Gets'. In 'Frankie' they are paired up as a couple that might get married. There's a scene where Greg gives Marisa a ring and sort of asks her to marry him. They seem to come to an agreement that marriage could or would be a good thing. I found that scene humorous because it was as though they were playing a board game and Greg decided to stop playing and give her a ring and she seemed pleased that he did. She then asked if this was a marriage proposal and he replied that perhaps it was. He didn't get on his knee or offer a rose or make it more romantic.
I wouldn't put this movie on the shelf. But know that the energy level is low considering you have such seasoned actors. I'd say give it one more try.
The one silver lining could be where the film was shot ... Sintra, Portugal. Sintra is near Lisbon, Portugal and has it's share of castles. Some very picturesque castles. However, this movie was not about the magical castles but Sintra has natural beauty and that helped move 'Frankie' along. This wasn't 'Love Story' or 'Terms of Endearment' with a very compelling story. Instead we have a woman with a few months to live choosing to spend those days with her family and offering some sage advice. Yawn!
Let's say I choose to give 'Frankie another shot. I would already know that love, marriage and money problems are sub plots I'd let those issues serve as my multiple anchors. Of the ten actors giving their all (in this 98 minute drama) Marisa Tomei and Greg Kinnear stood out. They both have strong resumes: Marisa Tomei was amazingly funny in 'My Cousin Vinny'; Greg Kinnear played a distraught gay man in 'As Good As It Gets'. In 'Frankie' they are paired up as a couple that might get married. There's a scene where Greg gives Marisa a ring and sort of asks her to marry him. They seem to come to an agreement that marriage could or would be a good thing. I found that scene humorous because it was as though they were playing a board game and Greg decided to stop playing and give her a ring and she seemed pleased that he did. She then asked if this was a marriage proposal and he replied that perhaps it was. He didn't get on his knee or offer a rose or make it more romantic.
I wouldn't put this movie on the shelf. But know that the energy level is low considering you have such seasoned actors. I'd say give it one more try.