Frank

Frank (2014)

About Frank

Frank, released in 2014, is a comedic yet poignant film directed by Lenny Abrahamson, presenting a fantastic exploration of music, mental illness, and the complicated lives of artists. The peculiar plot revolves around a young aspirant musician, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), who joins an eccentric pop band led by a mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender), a character known for wearing a large papier-mâché head.

Making / Production

The movie was premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Pulled from the pages of a memoir by Jon Ronson, who co-wrote the script with Peter Straughan, the film draws inspiration from Frank Sidebottom, the persona of British musician Chris Sievey. Sievey's spirit infuses the movie, which externalizes inner chaos in ways that are often achingly funny and unexpectedly touching.

Actors

• Michael Fassbender as Frank: Playing the title character, Fassbender delivers an impressive performance with just his voice and physicality, creating an inscrutable but charismatic figure beneath the mask.
• Domhnall Gleeson as Jon: Gleeson plays the young, naive musician drawn into Frank's world, providing a grounded, relatable perspective amid the eccentricity.
• Maggie Gyllenhaal as Clara: As Frank's fiercely protective bandmate Clara, Gyllenhaal brings tension and passion, further complicating Jon's understanding of Frank.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The papier-mâché of Frank's head was created by Petra Tikulin and sculptor Alice Heane.
• Despite taking place in Ireland and the USA, most of the film was shot in New Mexico.
• Fassbender actually sang and played the music in the film.

Awards

The film bagged multiple awards, including the Best Screenplay award at the British Independent Film Awards and was nominated for numerous others, including Best Director.

Quotes

• "I say tell everyone everything. Why cover anything up? Right?" - Frank
• "Music is shit." - Jon
• "Flattered grin followed by bashful half-smile" - Frank

Music, Soundtrack

• "I Love You All" - The Soronprfbs (Frank's band)
• "Secure The Galactic Perimeter" - Stephen Rennicks
• "Frank's Most Likeable Song" - The Soronprfbs