Uncle Frank (2020) - Uncle Frank (2020) - User Reviews - IMDb
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8/10
"What's Hidden is What Interests Me"
lavatch2 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Uncle Frank" is a film about uncovering secrets. It is also a film about the burden of the past in choices we make that can never be reversed. The conceit of the film is a coming of age tale about young Beth ("Betty") Bledsoe. But the core of the film is the emotional pain of her Uncle Frank.

Frank never got over the Lassiter boy, who was Samuel J. Lassiter, a teenager who left this world far too soon and for no good reason. Shamed when he was discovered in an embrace with Sam, Frank said words that he regrets until his present age of 46 in 1973.

It was Frank's domineering father, Francis Mackenzie "Mac" Bledsoe, Sr., who could never face the realities about his son's sexuality. Mac was shamed that his brother Jasper was gay, and he was incapable of tolerance about his eldest son. Frank Jr. reaches his nadir when his father's will is read aloud, which is a gut punch for the ages.

Early in the film, Uncle Frank gives the advice to Beth that changes her life. In very simple terms, Frank tells her to be herself and not be affected by what others think. In his life, Frank finds that objective more difficult to achieve for himself.

The performances and Allan Ball's scripting were first-rate in this heart-wrenching drama. The most memorable character was the effervescent partner of Frank, Wally, who always brings the joy of life to the moment. One of the characteristic scenes in the film is when Wally is in a phone booth talking in Arabic to his mother in Saudi Arabia. The love and devotion are apparent in Wally's inflections and his smile. The film's themes of family values and tolerance come across perfectly in that expressive scene.

It is Wally who best articulates the dynamic of uncovering layers of reality and coming to terms with the truth of the past. In Wally's inimitable manner, he casually asserts that "what's hidden is what interests me."
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8/10
Yep, That's True
thesar-22 December 2020
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.
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9/10
Heartwarming and Heartbreaking
Neon_Gold2 December 2020
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.
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10/10
A Masterpiece
atractiveeyes28 November 2020
It's just amazing. The story might seem light and simple but it's way more than that, it's so deep and important with many heavy subjects and life messages. Performances are all so good. Camerawork is nice. Uncle Frank is one of the best movies I saw this year. It's very well made, and It's touching, heartbreaking, funny, entertaining, and important. It's highly recommended because it's a great movie that deserves better recognition and appreciation.
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Moved me to tears
Gordon-115 January 2021
This is such a beautiful story. It moved me to tears.
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7/10
Very good acting and a good story.
deloudelouvain8 April 2021
Uncle Frank is more drama than comedy, so don't expect to laugh all the time. But for a drama it's a well written one, one that keeps you entertained and interested in the story for the entire duration. And that's mostly due to the excellent performances from all actors. The acting was very convincing and is the best thing about Uncle Frank. As for the story, it's not new but certainly not bad. I don't think a lot of people will dislike this movie, maybe homophobes, but other than that normal thinking people with an open mind will enjoy it.
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10/10
Completely Perfect
michaelr-072174 December 2020
It is an incredibly heartfelt and authentic film. The performances were perfect. The direction was lovely. It was thoroughly engaging. A film that should not be missed.
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9/10
Beautifully shot n well acted intense drama. People who enjoyed the Green Book may definitely enjoy this one too.
Fella_shibby30 November 2020
The guy who did the role of Wally nailed it. The film does get very poignant with Frank's past. It is a bit comedic at times. The scene where the aunt gets only 500 $, her facial expression is epic n a big lol. It is much better than Moonlight.
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10/10
The acting, oh my goodness.
lezamcleod-021855 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The story is a common tale of a man hiding his life from his family until a family crisis brings the truth out in the cruelest manner. Paul Bettany is absolutely incredible. There's not a moment he doesn't ring completely true. The supporting cast create a solid base and their characters are so believable I felt like I was watching a documentary. Alan Ball has once again proved to be a writer of enormous skill, bringing truth and compassion to a story of a man's final realisation of who he is and where he belongs. Frank's fears are finally laid to rest as his family, out from under the shadow of a scared and stuck man, freely accept Frank and Wally each in their own way. It's a story of love and acceptance, what we all aspire to create, need and deserve.
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9/10
A minor miracle of a movie
ozjosh0327 November 2020
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.
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7/10
Despite the saccharine ending one of the better LGBT films of the year.
MOscarbradley29 December 2020
Another family saga from the school of William Inge; don't Alaskans have family sagas? This one is courtesy of Alan Ball, he of "Six Feet Under" and "American Beauty" fame and this time he's directed as well and doing a reasonably good job of it, too. This is a coming-out as opposed to a coming-of-age story and it's Paul Bettany's "Uncle Frank", (that's the title), who is forced to come out when his neice pays him an unexpected visit and meets his lover. Later all three of them have to share a car journey from New York to Frank's hometown of Creekville when his father dies suddenly.

In typical Alan Ball fashion, this is a serio-comic family saga and the humour works better than the inevitable sentimentality. Both Bettany and Sophie Lillis, (the understanding neice), are excellent and there's good work, too, from Peter Macdissi, (the lover), Margo Martindale, (the mother), Stephen Root, (the horrible father), Steve Zahn and Judy Greer, (in-laws) and best of all, Lois Smith, (Aunt Butch). At times it feels like an extended episode of "Six Feet Under" and it certainly doesn't break new ground but even at its most saccharine it's a hard film to dislike and is one of the better LGBT films of the last year or so.
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8/10
Please keep making these movies!
horrorjunkie127 November 2020
Beautiful film. Perfect cast! I think that was the key to this, likeable main characters that worked well together. These kind of stories are so important to be told, in such a way that nothing distracts from what is important. Frank, being able to who he is.
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7/10
Let's be Frank.
jasongkgreen7 August 2020
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.
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9/10
Incredible acting and gripping emotional story
nickrdwells4 December 2020
P.B was amazing in this movie. The emotions he portrays hit you exactly where they are meant to and all the other cast members are fantastic. Despite not being a relatively simple story it's told perfectly and keeps you gripped throughout.
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8/10
The love that dare not say its name . . .
REVVINCENT26 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie spoke/speaks volumes to me. Having "come out" in 1968, I identify immediately with so much of what Frank is struggling with. When Frank shushes Beth, his niece, in the restaurant takes me back years. The fear of queer still haunts me somewhat. I have "passed" throughout my life. I love all the "guy" things: hot cars, rugged sports to name two.

Frank's father is brutal; hate filled. There is that old "God'll get ya for being queer." You'll burn in hell fro sure. The vestiges of a religion which teaches one NOT to judge gives sway to all those who DO judge. I was fortunate in that my father did not like or love me but he never uttered one word about my being queer. He and my mother knew my partner at the time, along with my partner's family. I suspect my dad was a repressed homo. Someone remarked that he feared me because he saw in me all that he had denied through two marriages. Frank's father is a self-righteous ideologue who spouts forth the age old false doctrines against gays/queers-homos.

I did get angry at Walid, Frank's partner of 10 years. As a Saudi who fled Saudi Arabia because of his homosexuality, I consider Walid the LAST person to be giving Frank advice on family matters. Frank's mother played by Margo Martindale is one of my favorite actors. "A mother always knows" she says. At some level I believe fathers do also.

The most heart-wrenching moments were Frank's flashbacks to when he and Sam, in their teens, were "experimenting". Frank's harsh and cruel dismissal of Sam, declaring they are "against God" leads to Sam's committing suicide. That love which dare not speak its name rears its ugly voice once again. Despite Frank's struggle to save Sam from drowing, Frank arrives too late. I believe only someone who is gay can grasp the gravity of this moment. There are many, too many gays, even today, who want to commit suicide out of fear, rejection and negation.

I recommend this movie to anyone who really wants to connect with what being gay was like in the earlier stages of our sweeping "coming out". It was a world consumed with fear, denial and careful use of pronouns "he/she". Odd this movie takes place in South Carolina. My experience has been that some of the truly sweetest (not effeminate) lads have come from the South.
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10/10
Witty and pretty and.....yes gay
anthonyjames1829 November 2020
A wonderful enchanting film that really captures struggles that people had gone through just because of their sexuality. Just beautifully filmed with an authentic feel of the 70's with very relatable and well acted characters that will keep you entertained throughout. People giving this a low rating is bewildering but each to their own, I for one loved it with the stellar performances and quirky yet tearful moments that really brought thoroughly enjoyable film that I will watch again very soon
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9/10
Passionate film...
RosanaBotafogo9 January 2021
A movie so beautiful that it hurts inside the soul, how prejudice can be such a destructive cancer in our society, like love, the most beautiful and pure feeling in this world can be guilty of something, live free love, all forms are valid of love... Passionate film, suffering drama, divine dialogues and a lot of love involved...
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10/10
Uncle Frank Deserves A 10
santurcedc29 November 2020
I watched this movie on Netflix over the Thanksgiving weekend and it was a good interesting movie. At first, I didn't recognize Paul Bettany. He looks so skinny and different in this movie. I recommend that others who's not homophobic to watch this movie.
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10/10
Paul Bettany. Tour de Force. All-Star Cast. Enthralling.
untilnow993 December 2020
Once again, Paul Bettany gives a more than Oscar-worthy performance. It has been amazing, following his career. He is capable of slipping into any skin, and, in the process he never fails to captivate.This particular portrayal made my heart weep and also thrilled me with the breadth and majesty of his talent. Riveting, absolutely riveting.

An all-star cast. Terrific writing.

A special nod, as well, to Margo Martindale. As soon as I saw her on screen, I knew she and Bettany would take us all on one heck of an unforgettable journey.
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8/10
Strong drama and heartwarming.
cruise0110 December 2020
4 out of 5 stars.

Uncle Frank is a good drama film about Frank (Paul Bettany) and his niece played by Sophia Lilis. Which he is gay. When his father passes away. He and his niece go on a road trip to visit the family. Which they do not know of Franks secret.

It is a strong emotional plot. Frank dealing with his family. Which causes him to drink. After a troubled past. And his father despising him. Sophia Lilis is the only family member that is accepting of who he is.

Great performances from Paul Bettany and Sophia Lilis. Strong drama and script. But with a heartwarming ending.
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8/10
Maybe it's not the 8 i gave but it's definitely at least 7 or 9
Noodles8827 November 2020
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.
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9/10
Great movie
tahoe32728 November 2020
The characters of Wally , Frank and Beth are outstanding , the portrayal of Wally is one of my fav characters in a long time , Frank is awesome also , all actors in this field are outstanding . Judy Greer was great , she needs to be in more movies . I be do recommend this movie .well made , the backgrounds and the cars in this film are great 10 stars for set and background props even the clothes . Great movie to watch
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10/10
My first review
ledbetterjaney14 January 2021
I don't think I've watched a movie in a long time that was so beautifully made. The actors were perfectly cast in this. It deserves many awards but will be overlooked, more than likely.
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8/10
Uncle Frank
JoBloTheMovieCritic18 November 2020
8/10 - touching and deeply moving story is nicely coupled with tremendous acting from Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, and Peter Macdissi
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9/10
Family matters
kosmasp3 January 2021
Some family members are not always treated the same way as others. Not always something everyone has an understanding of. In this case it is Uncle Frank, a seemingly very cool Dude, that seems to have issues with his dad (or is it the other way around?).

The premise seems simple and you may be able to detect the direction this is taking way before I did. I understood the moment the "party began" - the knock on the door and when it opened to be more precise. You'll understand once you watch the movie. Some may feel similar to the dad character, but that would be wrong in many senses. Still he is there for the drama .. and he is there to hold Frank down ... through no fault of his own ... your sensibilities may be tested but that is something you have to deal with on your own. The movie is very well made and very well acted and has a message to boost with too
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