Uncle Frank

I was so excited when I saw Amazon had a new movie both written and directed by Alan Ball. I had seen absolutely no promotion or anything for this movie at all which was strange and it really deserves some. It was really great.

I didn't know much about the story going in and I think that it was a fresh take on this type of story. It kind of avoid some of the same old trappings and if it didn't avoid then it found away to make them more fresh or just tackle them from a different angle.

The script is amazing. I love the dialogue that Alan Ball writes it feels so bombastic and real. There is a flow that takes away the stiltedness of words on a screenplay.

I really enjoyed the performances too. They were really heart wrenching at times and done with care. Even the more subtle ones really stand out against the more dramatic ones.

I was also surprised what it was pretty funny in the beginning. I found my self laughing more than I thought. This does end abruptly in the middle of the film however.

It's a really well made film and I am sad that it didn't get more attention and publicity because it truly deserves it.

You wanna know what it's like growing up, in the closet with a homophobic, religious father when gay wasn't widely spoken of? Watch this.

Mercifully, my own father wasn't the same as this one, but he still kicked me out for being "different" than him. Twice. And thankfully, I didn't experience all what this Uncle did, but the setting was the same.

Uncle Frank is thoroughly admired by his niece and all-but shunned by everyone else in his family. He's okay with this being hundreds of miles away from them and living his own wonderful life in New York City. When tragedy strikes his family, he's forced to face more than he can handle.

Lucky for him, and I mean INCREDIBLY lucky for him, he has support from his closest loved ones. Still, the burden is more than most can bear. And I do empathize, tremendously.

It's definitely a tear-jerker, and maybe because I lived a lot of this. Maybe, also, because of the stakes, the story unravelling here. Helps we had all-around great and realistic performances, cinematography and direction. I can see a multiple of Oscar Noms for this. Well, IF there are Oscars for 2020.

Highly recommended and I hope the world's becoming more progressive. Hopefully, not too many more have to deal with this.

***

Final thoughts: Didn't think I had too many more tears in me, but they started towards the end (no spoiler) with the flowers to the mother...that definitely did it.

This is a film of love, partners, family and mostly self. A beautifully shot, thoughtful take on the challenges of traditional 70's thinking and the challenges of a gay life within a family.

A superbly acted film, tense and moving, warmed with love. It's not an easy watch, and shouldn't be. In saying that it has fun and warmth. Recommended.

I usually don't review much but sometimes it saddens me to see such low grades on a beautifully made, heartwarmingly movie. Sophia Lillis and Paul Bettany are 2 of the best.

There is a scene, you'll probably know when you'll see it, that completely engaged my empathy and emotions, made everything before and after it inconsequential, that's how powerful it was and I hope no one ever has to go through that, although i know a lot of people still do.

Wonderful movie, go see it and grow.

I'd almost begun to think we'd never see a movie like this again. But just when we need it most Alan Ball delivers a classically structured, beautifully written and delicately directed story that is both timely and timeless, as well as deeply moving. What appears on the surface to be a simple family saga is actually one of the most artfully constructed and thoughtfully realised movies in years. It will most likely be overlooked come award season as Hollywood rushes to honour the dumb superhero movies, pretentious gangster flicks and such - ventures in which hundreds of millions have been invested. They need those movies to succeed so the money keeps flowing, I guess. But Uncle Frank is real movie-making. I'm willing to bet you'll remember it long after you've forgotten most of 2021's Oscar nominees.