Good story, Not enough for a whole film

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Dear Frankie is a sad yet life affirming little modern fairytale set on the evocative Scottish coastal region, in a small fishing village home to many trawlers and vessels which are always coming or going. This is the place that Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) has chosen to raise her young son Frankie (Jack Mcelhone). The one thing missing is a father, who has been missing ever since he was born. Filled with love and a need for Frankie to know at least who he was, she writes him letters as if she were his dad, telling him tales of life at sea and corresponding with him for some years. As he gets older she wishes he could have met him at some point, and comes up with a slightly strange plan. She meets a Stranger (Gerard Butler) in town, who is a sailor himself, and hires him to pose as Frankie's father, and spend some time with him. Butler agrees, but it's clear he hasn't spent much time around kids in his life, and the meeting is awkward at first. Soon they get on well enough, which pleases Lizzie and is good for Frankie. Still, the issue remains that the Stranger is not Frankie's real father and Lizzie knows this, torn between the cathartic interaction she sees for her son, and the facts that she knows to be true. Mortimer is sorrowful and harbours clear hurt and loneliness, the reaching out she does to Butler as much for herself as it is for Frankie. Butler starts off charming and be used by the proposition, until he realizes the gravity of the situation he is in and learns so,etching about himself that was dormant in his life until he met Lizzie and Frankie. The human relationships are explored tenderly and with patient reverence that ebbs and flows with the English Channel tides. Beautiful stuff.

After having responded to her son's numerous letters in the guise of his father, a woman hires a stranger to pose as his dad when meeting him. Dear Frankie is a very sweet and touching movie with 3 great performances by Emily Mortimer, Jack McElhone and Gerard Butler. Also without spoil anything to those who haven't seen or heard the film like ever this movie is extremely touching but of course you know that and very well directed and acted the only problem i found was mostly the ending the film could have ended with a much better happy ending especially when The Stranger played by Butler cares more about the kid than the money. Anyways in the end this movie is really good although the ending kinda left me disappointed.

Yes here is my once every 6 month review on a title thats not a horror film. I first watched this in 2004 and I have seen it with every girlfriend I've had since than so that would be another 6 or 7 times. Just loved this movie and made me a fan of Emily Mortimer. I even appreciate it more now since I have become a father and just could not imagine my son being without me. This film will make you laugh cry and did I mention cry and cry some more. All in all you will feel good about humanity and life when the dust settles here. Please go out and rent, download , stream or just simply buy the DVD off ebay. You will treasure it for life.

This is one of those "minimal", British movies, which appeal the viewer for the sober development of the plot and and for the intense acting, and where meanings are to be found more in silences than in dialogues. The relationship mother and child is narrated with delicacy, simplicity, but true pathos, the little Frankie proving so touching in his tender attitudes and look, and the mother relating with him with such concerned affection. No doubt, two great performances. The concept of fatherhood stands out very clearly and the hardest moments are connected with that same concept, being a father not a matter of biological paternity, but something deeper. Inside this family drama, the role of Gerard Butler appears as significant more in relation with the young Frankie than in his affection for Lizzie, and proves unobtrusive and discrete enough to give the story a positive turning point. The landscape is always there to reflect the emotional side of the story, together with a delicate and touching soundtrack. A picture I would suggest to parents, but also to all viewers who still love simple, good stories with some feelings inside.