Hello, My Name Is Frank

Cute little indie with the strange feel of a faith based film with swearing. Enjoyable but not great.

We watched this on Amazon Prime and I really wanted to like it. The premise of a multi-generational buddy-road movie was intriguing and the reviews were sweet. And its a movie that tried really hard but is based on so many flawed premises that it eventually just collapses under its own improbability. The portrayal of Tourette's is both mildly offensive and irritating conveniently used (and perhaps even unnecessary). There are undeveloped backstories that are never explained, with Frank being both wise and child-like concurrently based on nothing that the viewer is shown. The three young women do a fine job, within their cookie-cutter predictable roles, but the support cast (especially a just bizarre holy-roller and his stereo-typical son) are formulaic at best.

All of this is set within a confused geography, which would have the viewer believe that the Columbia River is located at both the southern entrance to Oregon and, somehow, at its border with Washington too. Or that lush PNW farmsteads are located adjacent to barren deserts, or that the route from California to Washington never involves going through city.

This movie tried. It didn't make it. Watch something else.

The movie had potential to be better than it is but it ultimately tries to cover too many subjects and leaves many holes. As a comedy it is somewhat amusing. As a dramady it fails. They should have stuck to Frank and the girl dealing with the death of her mother. Instead the formula characters are brought in...good girl, bad girl, sensible girl, good looking stranger, each acting how you expect. And then a cast of supporting characters that are stereotypical and adding nothing to the story. It is like separate 15 minute scenes tied together with the road trip, but any one scene could be cut without losing any continuity. I don't think it is vengeful but If you are offended by a disability being used for comic laughs then don't watch. Something to watch on a lazy afternoon.

My wife and I recently watched this extremely well written and directed movie and all I can say is please take the time to watch this amazing movie. It brings to light medical conditions that many people have, no fault of their own. After watching this great movie, it highlights the challenges people with medical difficulties can have and how to better approach these important issues. My grandmother used to be a foster parent for children with Down Syndrome. I could completely relate to this movie and the main character. After watching Hello, My Name is Frank, you will appreciate the things that we all take for granted, from time to time. I had a better understanding of all the key attributes we all want to have, Compassion, Loyalty, Friendship, Patience, Understanding, and Love. What was really nice is that no matter what age you are, you can watch this movie and take something from it and apply it to your life. Watching movies that are substantive and enjoyable are hard to come by these days. This is a movie you have to watch and appreciate. Many thanks to the actors and makers of this wonderful film, Bravo!

This movie covers a lot of important issues and it does it with humor, sensitivity and honesty. I have only one complaint. I lived in Eastern Washington. Although there are lots of red necks in Eastern Washington, I have never heard of any snake handling sect of Bible thumping crazies. That's not a very accurate stereotype. It would have been more realistic to go with some other religious fanatics, there's plenty to chose from in that area. Still, it was well worth watching.