Saint Frances

Tackling themes that specifically affect women this funny, sincere and brave film leaves you under no illusion of the challenges faced by some; starring a standout Oscar worthy Kelly O' Sullivan who happened to write it as well.

Watching a movie like "Saint Frances" reminds a viewer how rarely we're treated to a truly female-driven movie. Oh sure, there are plenty of movies starring women, a few even (gasp!) directed by them, and lots that purport to be about women's "issues," whatever that means. But it's very rare to have a movie created by women, starring women, and about topics that mostly affect only women and in which the presence or lack thereof of male characters is largely irrelevant to the central issue.

"Saint Frances" isn't a great movie, but it's a very good one and feels in its own unambitious way like something fresh among a sea of mediocre movies. Writer and star Kelly O'Sullivan creates a character who some viewers are sure to dislike and judge, but it's also a character that feels authentic and complex and real and like, you know, the way actual real people are instead of the way they're depicted in lots of other carefully scripted films. The movie has a preoccupation with the biology of women in general and with menstrual blood in particular, and it's to the film's credit that it treats with matter-of-fact seriousness things (like periods, breast feeding, and other things that only women experience) that are used as the butts of jokes in our popular culture or otherwise inexplicably treated with outright disgust. It commits that sin common to feel-good indie movies of wanting to wrap up everything a bit too neatly with a shiny bow, but the sin isn't so egregious in this movie as to ruin the overall experience of watching it.

I also got a kick out of the fact that the movie is set in and was filmed, at least partially, in Evanston, Illinois, which is where I live. It was really fun recognizing locations and dissecting how accurately the film captured life in such a liberal progressive community.

Grade: A-

"Frances" deals with a lot of hot issues, like abortion, acceptance no matter gender, orientation,and past mistakes and it tackles them all with immense heart, exploring other personal themes, such as depression and life's crisis, all with such a human touch that it's hard not to connect to these characters. Kelly O Sullivan is so natural in this role that it's almost feels like a biography. Her writing is just as impressive as her acting, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for her in the world of cinema, because I think she's gonna turn some heads. The moms are both immensely talented as well as the daughter. At the end of this movie I couldn't help but smile and nod along with the music, relishing the time I got to spend with these characters. My only real quip is that it does longer a bit towards the end, and there is one scene that is a bit too on the nose, but the rest of the film is just too good and done with too good of intentions to really knock it too much. Overall Saint Frances is a stunningly delightful film, one that I recommend to anyone and everyone no matter personal beliefs. You may come out changed, you may come out even stronger in your beliefs, you may come out not changed at, all which is fine. One thing is for sure, you'll have a great time with these characters. There's plenty of laughs, tears and morals, and by the end you'll be sure to be rooting for Bridgette and her future.

Quiet, little movie that's quietly subversive. This is a comedy, written by and starring Kelly O'Sullivan, providing an unvarnished perspective on feminity, having a child and/ or choosing not to have a baby.

The three female protagonists each, is a prisoner to their own secrets. All three women are muted by shame. The only real conflict here is their inability to talk to each other. And O'Sullivan's script much like her performance, is sweet without ever going sickly. Great stuff.

When I first started watching this movie I thought it was kind of directionless and that it had all these disparate parts that didn't really click but then at some point it all did for me. All of a sudden I just really appreciated this movie.

It is a slice of this woman's life and her relationships with others in it. There isn't a huge through line it is just a story about a woman.

I think it masterfully blends different themes together and I think it's biggest merit is showing how clashing ideals can blend with each other and people should just accept and get along with others.

It is a really well done movie and I think that more people should watch it.