Here's a copy of my review from the banished sub-forum that dare not speak it's name...


Dear Frankie: This Year's Whale Rider

Both Dear Frankie and Whale Rider are very culturally specific dramas that somehow manage to connect to a deeply universal emotional resonance. You might wish for subtitles at the beginning of this very Scottish movie, but by the midpoint you'll be immersed in the story such that you've transcended the accent-gap...

The acting is really splendid here, especially on the part of the three leads. Emily Mortimer, who's career has thus far been the definition of eclectic; Gerard Butler, who displays subtlety unforeseen in his Phantom role; and of course Jack McElhone, who's well-played character of Frankie is pivotal to the whole endeavor.

Although I'd rate it just a hair under the aforementioned exemplary Whale Rider -- for anyone who's ever had any kind of emotional attachment to parents or children, this one's gonna get to you...

5 out of 5.

This is a very understated, but also very charmng Scottish drama revolving around a mother who goes to great lengths to protect her child from the truth about his abusive father. She has created an elaborate mythology about his father being a seafarer sailing around the globe, but when the ship she created turns out to be real (and is coming to a port in their city) she has to find a stranger to play the father. Of course, the stranger becomes emotionally attached to the child and much drama ensues, but this film is so beautifully shot and splendidly acted (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's Gerard Butler is wonderful) you can't help but be moved by this small gem.

8/10 or B+

bump... for fans of 300 who wanna see Gerard Butler do some quality quieter actin'...

Great performances and a touching storyline make this one worth seeing. Gerard Butler is excellent.

B+

B


It's another of those flicks that are nice and all, but simple don't end up being engaging or involing enough to stand out of the mold. Emily Mortimer proves once again that she has great acting chops, while Gerard Butler is as charming as ever. The ending left me wanting more, though. It was also quite obvious to me the whole time that the son knew the truth, so it wasn't quite a twist.The whole thing just felt a little unresolved at the end. It does have its heart in the right place, though and the actors are all fine.