Director: Lenny Abrahamson
By Alex Watson
No one will ever truly know or understand the methods of British comedian Chris Sievey or his reasons for creating his giant headed alter-ego 'Frank Sidebottom'. Although his comedy and overall act brought differing reactions from people, you cannot deny this was a memorable persona. Irish director Lenny Abrahamson this year brings us a film heavily inspired by the man himself. Nor there will not be any Monopoly Song or any tunes relating to football, but you can expect the music to get in strange in his movie, Frank.
Budding songwriter Jon Burroughs (Domnhall Gleason) is waiting to get his big break into the music industry. By complete accident after witnessing the attempted suicide of their keyboard player, he finds himself drafted into obscure band 'The Soronprfbs' lead by odd papier-mache headed singer Frank (Michael Fassbender) Together the band goes to a secluded house in Ireland to record an album, but Jon soon find himself out of place amongst all the madness of the group! Soon Frank and his bizarre antics begin to put a strain upon events.
If you were expecting a straight up biopic of Frank Sidebottom then prepare to be surprised because Frank is a very esoteric yet uproarious movie by Lenny Abrahamson and its unique sense of off beat humour works very well for the most part. Co-script by Sievey's former band member Jon Ronson, this movie makes audiences question what kind of art music truly is, and more important does Frank or Jon deserve a place among the mainstream?
At first Jon relishes his seemingly lucky break, when we first meet him he is a bored and creatively empty young man living at home with mum and dad. But the moment he goes on tour and finds himself locked away in a remote Irish cabin until Frank finds the 'perfect sound' he realizes that he has bitten off more than he can chew! From here on out, Jon has a front row seat to the mania that ensues. The problems of fitting in with the band is a continuing problem and he finds himself forever questioning if he earns a place there because as icy theremin player Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal) tells him "You should go home!"
The Soronprfbs are a band whose music is hard to categorize, and although Jon through secret filming and posting of videos gets the band infamous online- their upcoming slot at the South by Southwest festival may not necessarily go to plan! However, we instantly fall in love with the giant headed Frank, particularly for his description of his facial expressions out loud. But its the mystery that intrigues Jon about him, and all around him are convinced he is a genius. Is Frank really a mad musical genius or is he really just a lunatic wearing in a silly disguise? This ambiguity makes for an interesting debate in Abrahamson's film and until the final reel we are still uncertain of our answer!
But although this film is fun and has a very quirky edge to it, Frank suffers from a uneven third act and this section makes the film dip in quality as Jon makes the transition into near insanity. Although partially stirring, Frank's fall to earth both musically and personally has a rather dull ring to it and as Jon becomes a reluctant detective to find him, it leaves a bit of a hallow ring. All errors aside, Abrahamson manages to inject enough humour into proceedings to make this a forgiveable mistake and skilfully he manages to leave things on a uplifting (albeit it fractured) note.
Michael Fassbender gives what is perhaps his most extraordinary performance to date. Sat mostly behind a gigantic staring head, he somehow manages to conjure up a stunning sense of emotion mixed with borderline insanity. But it's his skilful underplaying of the possible insanity that makes Frank all the more memorable and although he could off at any moment, we pray he comes through. Domnhall Gleason is one the who scores highest in the likeability stakes and his charming portrayal as underdog Jon is one that gives us something to cheer. Musically he may not have a clue, but compared to the other unstable members of the band, Jon knows exactly where to take them! Gleason is one the best upcoming talents currently and JJ Abrams should feel proud for casting him in his upcoming Star Wars movie!
It may not be a completely perfect movie, but Frank is still an interesting journey for film fans to undertake and it will at least make you question your taste in music afterwards. Frank Sidebottom may not be the key focus of this movie, but his legacy still lives on through Abrahamson! Though shame there was no mention of "Bobbins" or "Blimey"
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