Arts & Life

Fassbender hits all the notes in ‘Frank’

'Frank' is loosely based on the late English musician Chris Sievey.

At the start of the new indie comedy-drama “Frank,” directed by Lenny Abrahamson, we meet Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) a young amateur musician who wanders through the beach and streets actively searching for a spark of inspiration to fuel a song.

While Frank is fictional, it is loosely based on the late English musician Chris Sievey’s comic persona Frank Sidebottom.

Jon Ronson, who co-wrote the film, was a bandmate in Sidebottom’s band The Freshies. An acknowledgment is made during the credits to Sidebottom reading, “Whose outsider spirit and big fat head inspired this film.”

In the film, Frank (Michael Fassbender) — wearing a large papier-mache head — is the frontman for the band Soronprfb. In the film the band name was never pronounced correctly.

Jon falls into the band when he informs Don (Scoot McNairy), the band’s manager, that he plays the keyboard.

It is during this gig that we are introduced to Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal) – the cold and intense musician responsible for playing the theremin. Gyllenhaal does well in coming across as the bandmate that while being a bit hostile can hold everyone together.

“Frank” presents a story that is interesting and situations that are relatable. Jon a young guy with real goals, but at the same time has to keep a regular job. We see him struggle to find his place in the band during their time in Ireland. The audience will be rooting for him to reach stardom from start to finish.

The band’s music is bizarre at first, but Jon’s original songs that are inspired by everyday life and his inability to write a hit compliment the film. Tracks like “Lady in the Red Coat” and “Little Boxes,” provide a soundtrack that is often paired with Jon’s evening walks home.

Soronprfbs’s odd sound uses a variety of different instruments. The bands sound is jarring, but as the film progresses, Frank hopes to write more “likable” songs.

The song “I Love You All” underlines the strong bond between the band members, showcasing the importance of music throughout the film.

Gleeson and Gyllenhaal deliver convincing performances as awkward characters. Characters that separately come across as outcasts, but together form a nice and somewhat explosive union.

Fassbender is generally known to take on heavier roles in dark films, but does well portraying the lighter character of Frank. Actors commonly rely on their face to get their character’s emotions to come alive onscreen. Fassbender, however, while donning a large papier-mache head for most of the film still manages to connect with the audience and does not appear flat. He actively uses his entire body, which making Frank a well rounded character.

“Frank” succeeds in telling a lively story of an odd band with an unpronounceable name that doesn’t make the least bit of sense.

In the end their bond blurs those imperfections. This film is much like the character Frank: strange, a bit complicated, but all together endearing and a definite must see.

“Frank” is currently in limited release and is now playing at The Landmark and Arclight Hollywood. It is also available on VOD and iTunes.

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