Watch Frankie

Frankie is a 2019 drama film directed by Ira Sachs and starring a talented cast led by the legendary French actress Isabelle Huppert. The movie follows a tight-knit group of family and friends who come together for a vacation in the idyllic Portuguese town of Sintra. The titular character, played by Huppert, is a famous actress who is grappling with a terminal illness and wants to use the vacation as an opportunity to reconnect with her loved ones before it's too late.

The ensemble cast is incredibly strong, with standout performances from Sennia Nanua as Frankie's teenage granddaughter Maya and Ariyon Bakare as her soft-spoken husband Jimmy. Other notable cast members include Brendan Gleeson as Frankie's husband, Greg Kinnear as Maya's father, and Marisa Tomei as a movie makeup artist who becomes enmeshed in the family drama.

One of the things that sets Frankie apart from other family drama films is its emphasis on small moments and conversations. Director Ira Sachs is known for his sensitive and realistic portrayals of human relationships, and Frankie is no exception. The characters spend a lot of time walking and talking, reflecting on their pasts, and grappling with the present. The dialogue is understated and naturalistic, with the actors bringing a sense of lived-in authenticity to their roles.

Another notable aspect of the film is its gorgeous cinematography. The town of Sintra provides a stunning backdrop for the story, with lush greenery, crumbling castles, and expansive ocean vistas all captured in vivid detail. There are several shots in the film that are truly breathtaking, with the camera lingering on the characters against the backdrop of Sintra's awe-inspiring scenery.

Overall, Frankie is a poignant and beautifully crafted film that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to come to terms with mortality or grappled with complicated family dynamics. The performances are exceptional, the dialogue is authentic, and the visuals are breathtaking. It's a rare gem of a movie that manages to be both emotionally resonant and visually stunning, and it's well worth seeking out.

Frankie is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 55.