Uncle Frank

Beth “Mr Jiggerson? But he’s so…religious?” Frank: “HA”

Beautifully written, marvelously acted, and with wonderful cinematography, I can't say enough good things.

Heart-warming drama that put a smile on your face

I expected this to be more of a carefree, funny road trip type of a film than the LGBT guy seeking family acceptance tale that it definitely is. I do appreciate the message and it has a good cast and everything but its certainly cheesy and a bit predictable perhaps...not entirely original and I'm not sure I'd personally categorise it primarily as a comedy. I'd say its more a drama. Its an ok film, yes but nothing amazing really.

What a wonderfully sweet and poignant exploration of Frank, a middle aged gay man as he navigates through a relationship with his lover of ten years and his facing the consequences of his disapproving father and his unsuspecting family. Woven into the story is Frank remembering his first love as a teenager and how his father's influence upon catching him with his teen love forever changed Frank's life. It's great to see gay characters who are just regular guys and not the over-the-top flamboyant characters Hollywood loves to push out onto movie audiences. This one is a gem.

patronizing with little character development

🏳️‍🌈 A comedy-drama set in the 1970s, in which a gay literature professor reluctantly returns home to attend his father's funeral, accompanied by his teenage niece and his incredibly funny and gentle partner. With a very strong performance by Paul Bettany, the movie is entertaining, compassionate and very heartwarming, despite some of its darkest and heart-wrenching moments. An engaging story that should have been given more visibility, because of its important subject-matter and its beautifully sweet ending.

After seeing what Amazon suggested, I can say "no"! Horrid movie.

Very cute comedy with touching family drama. Director Alan Ball's indie comedy-drama Uncle Frank (2020) is a very straightforward, yet nuanced picture about a kind gay uncle supporting his progressive niece find her way in life, while dealing with his own demons. Uncle Frank is incredibly funny, then leans into genuinely moving drama. I simply loved Uncle Frank and hope you get a chance to see it too. Ball's open direction is very positive with his sweet gay romance drama and heartfelt coming of age drama all mixed with a lighthearted comedy vibe. He also deals with Southern intolerance of homosexuals with a darker grit that's surprisingly haunting for the dramatic flashbacks. Ball has a sleek and effective style. Alan Ball's writing is delightful. His wonderfully supportive characters bear a cute humor and realistic feelings. I like how natural his old fashioned Southern family feels and how modern the New York characters come across. He balances perspectives fairly with a real respect for the gay community and a kindness for those with addictions. Uncle Frank flies by for a very quickly paced 95 that still finds time to develop complex characterization. Sophia Lillis is astounding as always as Beth Bledsoe. Her pleasant manner and sweet personality is fun to see as the progressive Beth finding her way in life. Lillis is sincere and caring with every subtle moment of understanding or shock for her beloved Uncle Frank. Sophia Lillis is utterly fascinating and so cute as Beth. I found her comradery with Paul Bettany's Frank so supportive and kind hearted. I hope Lillis gets more lead actress roles like Uncle Frank as she's captivating. Paul Bettany is seriously impressive as Uncle Frank Bledsoe. He is initially supportive of his smart niece Beth as her favorite Uncle Frank. Then, Bettany opens up as a gay man, guilty of his own sexuality because of his homophobic father, as he struggles with his own sense of self. Bettany had me crying at the graveyard and lake scenes when he's utterly devastating. Paul Bettany can really play anyone. Peter Macdissi's hilarious Wally is immediately lovable and funny with a nice sense of self. He's openly gay and supportive of Uncle Frank is a realistically patient manner. He steals the show with his fun loving personality and earnest dramatic acting. Steve Zahn's ignorant Southern brother Mike Bledsoe is shocking in his depiction of casual racism and sexism, but he feels real. Judy Greer is lovely and hilarious as Kitty Bledsoe. Her bubbly personality comes across beautifully. Margo Martindale's understanding mother to Frank was a nice supporting actress role. Stephen Root is terrifying and understated as Frank's brutal father Big Mac Bledsoe. Lois Smith is fun as the hopelessly ignorant Aunt Butch. Jane McNeill was a nice opposition to the Southern family's ignorance as Frank's supportive sister Neva Bledsoe. Caity Brewer and Hannah Black's nieces were both funny. Khalid Mohtaseb's cinematography is quite gorgeous with these stunning wide shots of barren forests and intimate close-ups of characters mourning or being wracked with guilt. Darcy C. Scanlin's production design crafts older wooden South Carolina homes and 70's New York apartment spaces with a sound sense of the era. Kevin Hardison's art direction neatly focuses on open flower fields, barren forests, expanses of lake water, to tighter home spaces for those confined to a small town feeling a claustrophobic sensation. Amy Morrison's neat set decoration finds all manner of period specific things to adorn these 70's households. Composer Nathan Barr wrote a pleasant and soft score that keeps things light and close to the heart. His music fits Uncle Frank nicely. Megan Stark Evans' costumes create a realistic aesthetic for 70's clothes that don't just fit a hippie or yuppie stereotype. Sophia Lillis' dresses are very cute like her short sleeve shirts. Lindsay Irish-Desarno's make-up gives Paul Bettany a completely different look. His haircut to his mustache transforms Bettany into Uncle Frank. In conclusion, Uncle Frank is a charming indie comedy with very moving drama.

Great characters and acting