By Amuche Nwafor
Last week, Ragtag Cinema welcomed the movie Frank. Directed by critically acclaimed Irish director Lenny Abrahamson, Frank is an offbeat drama infused with comical humor. The film tells the story a man named Frank, who is played by Michael Fassbender. Fassbender, starred in the recent movies 12 years A Slave and X-Men: Days of future Past.
In this film, Michael Fassbender has a psychological disorder, wears a paper mache head that he never takes off, and is also the lead singer and mastermind of an indie pop band. Frank’s life, along with the lives of all the other band members in the movie are observed by Jon. Jon, played by Domhnall Gleeson, is an average businessman who is also a music fan, keyboard player, and lyrically challenged songwriter.
Jon comes across Frank’s band by chance and is asked to be a replacement keyboard player for a gig,which turns into a permanent position. However, soon enough, Jon learns that this band is not just any average group of rock-and-rollers. But beyond all of the quirks, Jon sees true potential in the band and begins to put all of his effort into sharing the band’s music with and an online fan base. And eventually, the band is given a once in a lifetime opportunity. But again, this is not your average group of rock-and-rollers and Jon realizes too late, that he has bitten off way more than he can chew.
Although this movie focuses on a rock band, it goes beyond so much more than just the music. Through many of the trials and tribulations the band faces in the movie, Frank is sought out for a solution. The members of the band share a musical and creative bond that cannot be broken as long as Frank is at the center. Frank is very detail oriented and manages to find inspiration in all aspects of life, big or small. Which, is something that his band of followers truly admires. Jon observes this, in hopes that it will make him a better composer.
Frank is a great film. With reoccurring themes of friendship, individuality vs. society, and man vs. himself; there is something for all viewers to take away from the film. I highly recommend that anyone who enjoys a good movie should make Ragtag the destination this weekend for an upbeat, offbeat, melodrama adventure.