Frank & Lola

"Beware, my Lord, of jealousy, it is the green-eyed monster that doth mock the meat it feeds on." Iago in Othello

Frank (Michael Shannon), a top-rated chef in Vegas, falls for young fashion designer Lola (Imogen Poots) and that's the beginning and end. That is, his uneventful life just became upended by a girl he needs to trust but doesn't appear to merit it. Such is the conflict and drama of this small, tense, and satisfying drama with just a hint of thriller.

While Frank & Lola is a modern romance fraught with uncertainty because the principals orbit by themselves hoping to collide with love rather than let it ripen. The not-so-likely love between this older man and younger lost soul doesn't so much move on lust as it does on the couple's passion to do the right thing in the face of their defaults.

Lola's one-night stand and her admission to Frank start him into a spell of mistrust that propels the film thereafter. The film's center is in Shannon's believably smart man tossed in jealousy and mistrust that leads to violence and uncertain rapprochement with her.

Poots is marvelous as a lost soul looking in the wrong places--her eyes are the most soulful and vulnerable in cinema today. Shannon's minimalistic acting relays the perfect hard-boiled hero of few words. But be careful, he can see into your heart and with a word or two tell the whole sordid details of your innocence lost.

Frank & Lola is heavy on engaging dialogue and light on thriller action. Its strength is relaying how little we know about the ones closest to us.

This film tells the story of a Las Vegas chef, who has a beautiful girlfriend. One day, he discovers that she is cheating on him. She explains the unfortunate truth, and he decides to sell revenge from the perpetrator.

"Frank & Lola" shows interesting characters who are real and relevant to daily lives. Frank wants to protect his girlfriend from harm, and would do anything to achieve that. The girlfriend Lola, on the other hard, appears to be vulnerable and victimised. As the story goes on, more truth is unveiled, but viewers are left to wonder what exactly is the truth. I sympathise with Frank, but don't understand him.

I'm a little surprised by the current 5.9 rating on here, so I really felt I needed to write a review.

The film is a little offbeat, definitely not your standard Hollywood fare. It's gritty, and fairly uncompromising. It takes place in Las Vegas and Paris, and the reason I mention that is because this sort of feels more like a French film than the American film that it actually is.

It is an American film that was selected for Sundance, and then was picked up by a Hollywood distributor.

For a person like myself who has literally seen thousands of films from all over the world, I understand and appreciate the rarity of realist films like this with very human characters and very real feelings.

I enjoyed the film entirely, and I definitely plan to watch it at least one more time in my life. It's a good film at the very least, and perhaps even better. I suspect that I may even rate this film a little higher upon a second viewing. It's one of those types of films that may be enjoyed even more with a less surprised viewer, because yes, the film like real life is a little unsettling at times. There was no doubt at the end of the film however that I definitely enjoyed it a lot.

I must mention that I thought both Shannon and Poots were nothing short of tremendous.

To end, let me just say that if you want something not so standard, or you're a huge film buff who's seen tons, definitely see this film!!

7.5/10

Frank & Lola- honestly i fell in love with this movie the moment i saw the poster. It looked like an intense love story and it was! i enjoyed watching this film. Debutant director Matthew Ross proves he has talent & he did a decent job considering his first movie. Wont be revelaing the plot as it will spoil the fun for those wanting to see it. Micheal Shannon is such a terrific actor. He played the possessive and intense lover superbly... I fell in love with actress Imogen Poots...such a beauty <3 ..even she has given a fantastic performance. Both have dynamic chemistry on screen. Its a 80 min crisp movie and i liked the way the movie ended..IMO it took the film to another level. Highly recommend to watch this film for the acting and story.

I've heard of this film but never decided to check it out. Now that I sometimes go the library (who even does this?) to rent movies I saw it and picked it up. The first intriguing thing about this film were all the very positive reviews for the director, the cast, the style and the deliver of the plot. I don't see Imogen Poots in many things but there is definitely talent there. Don't get me started on Michael Shannon. He blows you away in Take Shelter, and did a fantastic job on Boardwalk Empire. The pairing seemed a little odd at first but you soon realize how greatly they are able to complement each other.

This film is about a jealous and possessive man and a damaged and lonely girl who fall for each other and their oft volatile relationship when its being tested. Frank (Shannon) starts suspecting Lola of an affair and it starts to consume him, while Lola (Poots) tries to cover what she's doing by not being straight up with Frank. Problems ensue, and we are in for a pretty riveting time. I'm not going to praise Shannon anymore but I do have to say he is great in a inquisitive and jealous lover role. Lies are exposed and you can't help but feel a connection with both leads despite their very overt flaws.

Director Matthew Ross is clearly influenced by a few directors works and it shows. I got a few Brian De Palma and Hitchcock feels although many others would probably claim different influences. The films is slightly erotic, moody, and makes you question what the truth is. Ross never really outwardly lays the plot in front of you and let it marinate. Each minute that goes by you can't help but second guess what you previously thought.

Its a really promising debut for someone that I've previously never heard of. The film is quite short but a satisfying portrayal of a relationship that is marred by jealousy, paranoia, and angst. It's not exactly what I expected but I did really enjoy this outlook. Relationships are not always easy peasy and sometimes its nice to get a take of a film that revolves around sex and the possibility of cheating, Seek this one out and watch it, its worth your time.

7.5/10