Frankie Starlight (1995)

71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(319 ratings)

A small man with a big story examines the facts of his life in this drama. As Frank Bois enjoys the success of his first novel, he finds himself looking back on his highly unusual life. Frank's mother Bernadette (Anne Parillaud) was a French woman who, after the death of her parents and several… More A small man with a big story examines the facts of his life in this drama. As Frank Bois enjoys the success of his first novel, he finds himself looking back on his highly unusual life. Frank's mother Bernadette (Anne Parillaud) was a French woman who, after the death of her parents and several close friends in World War II, smuggled herself aboard an Allied troop ship sailing to Ireland, exchanging sexual favors for silence among the soldiers who discovered her on board. A kind-hearted customs agent, Jack Kelly (Gabriel Byrne), allowed Bernadette to enter Ireland, and they soon became lovers, even though she was already carrying the child of one of the soldiers from the ship. Bernadette soon gave birth to young Frankie (Alan Pentony), who suffered from dwarfism. As he grew older, Frankie fell for Jack's daughter Emma (Georgina Cates), who clearly didn't care for him, while Jack generously shared his knowledge of astronomy with Frankie. Eventually, Bernadette encountered Terry Klout (Matt Dillon), an American soldier from the troop ship, who offered to marry her. Bernadette and Frankie accompanied Terry to his home in Texas, but both mother and son felt like fish out of water in the American West, and they returned to the Irish home they came to love. A sadder but wiser Bernadette eventually committed suicide, and Frank began to draw upon his life experiences as he put pen to paper for his first book. Based on the novel The Dork of Cork by Chet Raymo, Frankie Starlight was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Written By: Chet Raymo, Ronan O'Leary
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 22, 1995 Wide
On DVD: May 21, 1996
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Poetic story of one lonely individual's spiritual search for beauty, meaning and love.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Wahida K

This might be not everyone s cup of tea, but I liked it very much. A beautiful poetry of Movie I think.
Leo L

A fantastic film, love it!!

Cast

            Anne Parillaud as Bernadette Bois

            Matt Dillon as Terry Klout

            Gabriel Byrne as Jack Kelly

            Corban Walker as Frank Bois

            Rudi Davies as Emma Kelly

            Alan Pentony as Young Frank

            Sage Allen as Bar Proprietress

            Christopher Casson as Bookshop Gentleman

            Martin Dunne as Friend At Wedding No. 1

            Aidan Grenell as Bookshop Manager

            Dearbhla Molloy as Effa Kelly

            Martin Murphy as Guest At Wedding

            Derry Power as Friend At Wedding No. 2

            Niall Toibin as Handy Paige

            Barbara Alyn Woods as Marcia

            Elizabeth Haas Keller as TV Interviewer

            Jean-Claude Frissung as Albert Bois

            Kit Kincannon as Man In Bar

            Julien Negulesco as Bernadette's Uncle

            Julian Wadham as Roger Manning

            Georgina Cates as Young Emma

            Guy Verame as Interpreter

            Corine Blue as Bernadette's Aunt

            Aiden Grennell as Bookshop Manager

            Alan Devine as Bernadette's Friend On Beach

            Tristan Gribbin as Bookshop Assistant

            Jessie-Ann Friend as Lisa

            Pauline Cadell as Prostitute

            John S. Davies as Tobin

            Owen Roe as Senior Customs Officer

            Victoria Begeja as Anne Marie Bois

            Ulrich Funke as German Officer

            Amber Hibler as Charleen

            Aisling Leyne as Girl In Gallery

            Laurent Mellet as Bernadette's Friend On Beach

            Edward Naessens as Bernadette's Friend On Beach

            David Parnell as Photographer

            Ann Weakley as Midwife

            Christine Keane
            
            Julian Negulesco
            
            Allen Panginy
            
            Corbin Walker
            
See full cast