Frank

Frank, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, is an off-beat, surreally amusing independent film that was released in 2014. The film takes its inspiration from several different sources, blurring the line between fiction and reality, and delivers an engaging and substantial narrative which explores themes like creative process, mental health, fame, and artistic integrity.

At the heart of the movie is Michael Fassbender playing the eponymous character, Frank, a magnetic yet elusive figure who remarkably hides his identity under a large cartoonish papier-mâché head, managing to deliver a powerful performance even without the utility of facial expressions. The ever-talented Domhnall Gleeson stars as Jon Burroughs, a fledgling musician and songwriter yearning for his big break. Frank’s innate creativity and Burroughs' ambitious desire form the grounding dynamic of the movie, giving life to the unique plot-driven narrative. Maggie Gyllenhaal rounds off this talented cast and delivers a captivating performance as Clara, a hardened, theremin-playing band member who is intensely protective of Frank.

The film begins in a quasi-realistic mode, with Gleeson’s character, Jon, working at a menial job and dreaming of escaping the humdrum existence of his seaside town in England. A series of fortuitous events culminates in Jon joining an eccentric pop band, 'Soronprfbs,' led by enigmatic Frank. The other band members are just as eccentric, navigating a distinctive lingual, social, and creative space that’s both fascinating and slightly unsettling for Jon and for us as the audience. The film takes a psychedelic turn as the band hastily retreats to a remote Irish cabin to record an album, immersing themselves in an intense and bizarre creative process under the tutelage of Frank.

Frank guides us through the tumultuous and sometimes absurd world of the band's creative practices. The journey, described through Jon’s outsider perspective, is often humorous, but it carries an undercurrent of darkness. The film excellently portrays the humorous clash between Jon's mainstream aspirations and the rest of the band’s steadfast commitment to avant-garde. Each band member is dealing with their own personal problems and quirks that seep into their creative output, making 'Soronprfbs' a sanctuary for misfits.

As the movie progresses, we gradually unravel the enigma that is Frank. Fassbender’s masterful performance shines through the giant head, creating an oddly relatable character with depth and pathos. Frank is obscure, yet endearing; his brilliance is tainted with palpable melancholy and his peculiar charm is captivating. The mystery behind his perpetual wearing of the papier-mâché head becomes a metaphor for many things, from artistic persona to the stigma of mental health. Not having visual access to Frank’s facial expressions, the audience is left to guess his emotions through movement and voice, building an unsettling feeling of ambiguity.

Despite the film’s premise and presentation being outwardly whimsical, the screenplay by Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan subtly layers the narrative with serious and impactful themes. The movie pensively reflects on the nature of inspiration, the painful struggle of creating art, and wittily critiques the social media generation’s obsession with viral fame.

The element of music plays a substantial role in the film’s narrative as well. The eccentricity of 'Soronprfbs' is captured beautifully in their uncanny music, a kind of experimental rock that is alternately harmonious and jarring, reflecting the band’s volatile dynamics and creative fervour.

Helped by moments of clever, quirky humor and pathos, Frank delivers a touching commentary on the cost of fame, the nature of creativity, the societal handling of mental health conditions, and the struggles and sacrifices involved in keeping artistic integrity intact in the face of commercial success. However, Frank remains, for the most part, a film of buoyant spirit and charm. The bizarre yet heartfelt narrative and phenomenal performances by Fassbender, Gleeson, and Gyllenhaal make Frank a compelling and thought-provoking viewing experience.