FRANK
The 'actual' Frank Sidebottom performs a Queen medley
Cast: Maggie Gyllenhall, Michael Fassbender, Domnhall Gleeson
Director: Lenny Abrahamson
95 mins
If you click on the link above, you’ll see evidence of the ‘real’ Frank (Sidebottom), alter-ego of the late great Chris Sievey in full performance flow. His Sidebottom comic persona reached what can only be very loosely termed his zenith back in late 1970s/early 80s, when he appeared as Frank on television, mainly in the Manchester area and notably on the sublime Mark (Radcliffe) & Lard shows on Radio One. Which makes this film “Frank” all the more bizarre and ill-judged, as it bears scant relation to the much-missed and much-loved aforementioned character. Although inspired by the original Frank, no mention of the surname is made and the era here is more contemporary (with constant on-screen social media use) unlike the 70s/80s where the real story is. This Frank is now American and there is a mannered and heightened sensibility throughout which is at times quite insufferable. More grating is what director Lenny Abrahamson and screenwriters Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan have done with the eccentricities at their disposal, moving the story into a highly inappropriate and insensitive area with a clear undertone of mental illness.
The tale unfolds with a narration from Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) - a young musician of very limited capabilities. By chance he is asked to play keyboards for a band, ludicrously monickered as Soronprfbs – and he jumps at the opportunity. The ensemble is comprised of a bunch of eccentric semi-goth insular minimalists, plus the erstwhile Frank (Michael Fassbender), who is permanently in possession of his paper mache head. This outfit apparently alludes to the actual Frank's creator Chris Sievey's experiences with The Freshies, but the comparisons are flawed to say the least.
Fassbender it has to be said, performs well throughout, and he provides a very moving and powerful conclusion to the film with his rendition of a strangely beautiful song. However the entire piece sits very uncomfortably with me and I take serious issue with its making, especially in the light of Sievey's tragic demise. A different character name and subsequent title, together with a radical re-design of the paper mache head would have benefitted the project and realigned it with a better and healthier perspective. I confess to having been a real enthusiast of the genuine Sidebottom's career arc to which this offers nothing of comparable authenticity. I’m happy to note, however, that a feature-length documentary about the life and art of Chris Sievey who tragically passed away from cancer in May 2010 sadly in poverty, entitled 'Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story' is in development. Directed by Steve Sullivan, it has been funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign. The film will document for the first time Chris Sievey's entire life, including his band The Freshies and his creation of the Frank Sidebottom character. It will feature interviews with many of Chris Sievey's family and colleagues and exclusive access to Chris' own personal archive of home movies, diaries, notebooks, props and costumes. This one I will be thrilled and delighted to see.
Tracks
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver, Emma Booth, Jessica Tovey, Rolley Mintuma, Melanie Zanetti
Director: John Curran
110 minutes
Australian Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska) decided to go off on a 1,700 mile trek across the vast deserts of her homeland, all the way from Alice Springs until she reached the Indian Ocean. For companionship along came her trusty canine chum Diggity - and a quartet of camels.
A freelance photographer, Rick Smolan (Adam Driver) asked her if she'd like to be sponsored by National Geographic magazine, although rather reluctantly she had to accept Rick's occasional professional - and at times - personal overtures as part of the deal. Curran's film manages to fully capture the essence of "The Camel Lady" as she became known and Mia Wasikowska is outstanding in the lead, visibly enduring what was clearly a highly demanding role both physically and emotionally as she is drawn into this nomadic world whilst shunning the mundanity of everyday social structures.
When she first arrives in Alice Springs with Diggity, her plan is to train feral camels as luggage carriers for her marathon journey across this vast continents' desert - and partly it is the purity of this vista which attracts her. The cinematography (by Mandy Walker) beautifully captures the immense Australian expanse in all its striking, barren, treacherous and beautiful form, as the earth changes from yellow to red dust, from cracking dry terrain, ultimately to soft white sand in the course of this huge endeavour.
She befriends Eddie the Aboriginal Elder (Roly Mintuma), who can barely speak English and she surprisingly although credibly given her circumstances, forms a short-lived physical relationship with Rick. Driver who plays the latter, is excellent as this nerdy, obsessive photographer who continues to assist Davidson despite realising with some regret that their fling is over. Davidson's relationship with the animals - her beloved dog and the four camels - develops to a degree where they actually become her family.
Flashbacks inform us of Davidson's childhood and the circumstances which have profoundly changed her. These are well integrated, and add invaluable depth to the character of this nomad who is much more at home being nowhere. Mia Wasikowska's performance is highly authentic and beautifully rendered as she enigmatically reveals deep-seated emotions with subtlety, care and clarity.
This is a film that is greater than the sum of its parts - which themselves are hugely impressive. Both the feature, and Robyn Davidson's odyssey - are triumphant.
