Ever since 9-year old Frankie can remember, he and his mum Lizzie have been on the move. What Frankie doesn't realize is that they move so much to avoid detection from Frankie's abusive father. Wanting to shield her son from the truth, Lizzie has invented a father for Frankie who is away at sea on the HMS Accra. She even writes letters to Frankie from this fabricated father, telling of his adventures in distant lands. Frankie has diligently been keeping track of the Accra's progress and discovers that it is due to dock in his hometown. Unable to face Frankie with the truth, Lizzie hires a complete stranger to act as Frankie's father for a day.

Young adults to adults.

The characters have real depth. You can feel Lizzie's fear and the Stranger's growing bond with Frankie.

Watch it again.

Happy.

Gerard Butler plays the Stranger and does an excellent job as a moody man who is only doing his job, but then discovers something special in Frankie and in Lizzie.

It's a wonderful little film and far too obscure to American audiences.

"Dear Frankie" is a Scottish film so the actors have thick accents. I had to keep an eye on English subtitles sometimes because I couldn't understand what was being said.

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Created Jan 18, 2006 at 11:36am • Submit your own review...