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.