Uncle Frank Movie Review
Nathan Swank
November 24th, 2020
UNCLE FRANK opens up with a family get together in small town Creekville, South Carolina in the early 1970’s. We get to know a lot about the function of this family almost imidiately. Beth (Sophia Lillis), an intelligent high schooler is a bit more studious than the rest of her family and feels a bit out-casted as such. Her slightly-older cousin is already getting married and believed to be carrying a child. Beth’s mom and dad (Judy Greer and Steve Zahn) have a sometimes misplaced but kind heart as they discipline Beth’s wild younger siblings. Aunt Butch (Louis Smith) is that cooky old-timer that is both endearing and enfuriating. Mammaw Bledsoe (Margo Martindale) and Daddy Mac (Stephen Root) are the Matriarch and Patriarch of the family with Daddy Mac a firm believer in tough love. But Beth is drawn to Uncle Frank (Paul Bettany). A college professor in New York, Frank keeps mostly to himself and visits for the seldom special occasion.
Inspired by her uncle, Beth eventually makes her way out of Creekville, attending Frank’s college. Frank opens up about being a homosexual and introduces Beth to his long-time partner Wally (Peter Macdissi). After learning that Daddy Mac has passed away, they road trip home for the funeral on a journey where we learn more about Frank’s difficult past and present.
As the story progresses the protagonist shifts from Beth to Frank. I appreciate this subtle movement proving that even for the narrator, Beth, that her life might need to take a back seat to the hardship her uncle has endured and is currently living through. It’s an understanding that everyone would be wiser for by observing other people’s trials before screaming about their own.
The large supporting cast is wonderful, but the film hinges on our three leads. Particularly Paul Bettany who exudes a soft kindness but with a heavy worn anger and resentment bubbling internally. Bettany masters the character of Frank bringing heart and humanity to someone who we discover more as the film moves forward. Sophia Lillis and Peter Macdissi are also great, bringing a natural relatability as family who loves and supports and desires to learn and help Frank along the way.
While I am a fan of emotionally satisfying endings, UNCLE FRANK ends with perhaps a bit too cushiony of a scene. I think it’s important to know that it was 1973 and that the struggle for “being gay” was far from over. But it is a nice reminder that while there are some truly awful and hateful people in this world, there are some who are there to give there love and support.
Writer and director Alan Ball won an Oscar for his screenplay of 1999’s AMERICAN BEAUTY. He later helped create HBO’s award winning series Six Feet Under. I personally love them both and both inspired me in my college years to write and tell stories. UNCLE FRANK is not quite up to these top tier standards, nor should it be held to those expectations. But Alan Ball clearly is sharing a more personal story that is affecting in its emotional family journey through pain, acceptance, growth, and a little bit of humor. It is easily one of the better character and life driven films of 2020.
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