Movie Review: "Uncle Frank" – A Journey with Heart and Clichés
“Uncle Frank” is a movie filled with heartfelt moments but also falls into some familiar traps. The film introduces us to a tough, outspoken grandma, Mamaw, played by Margo Martindale, who delivers one moment of truth in an otherwise predictable story. Another memorable character is Aunt Butch (Lois Smith), a stern woman who isn't exactly a source of wisdom, especially when she tells her nephew, Frank (Paul Bettany), "You’re gonna burn in Hell," reflecting the harsh views some hold against the LGBTQ community. Surprisingly, Frank takes it as a sign of her accepting his sexuality.
Meet Uncle Frank:
Frank is gay and lives in New York City with his boyfriend, Wally (Peter Macdissi), an immigrant from Saudi Arabia. It’s 1969, and the story is narrated by Beth (Sophia Lillis), Frank’s niece. She feels like an outsider in her family and finds a kindred spirit in Frank, who supports her and advises her to be her own person. Frank even offers to pose as her parent if she ever needs birth control. Frank stands out as the coolest and most understanding family member, especially compared to Beth’s mean father, Mike (Steve Zahn), and the even meaner family patriarch, Daddy Mac (Stephen Root). Both of them treat Frank terribly, prompting his move to New York.
Fast Forward Four Years:
Beth is now a student at NYU, where Frank is a professor. She’s thrilled to be closer to the one family member who understands her. Back in South Carolina, she never realized why Daddy Mac hated Frank so much. When she surprises Frank with a visit, she’s confused to find Wally answering the door. Frank has been hiding his relationship from his family, using Charlotte (Britt Rentschler) as a cover, pretending she’s his girlfriend. After helping Beth recover from a night of heavy drinking, Frank reveals he’s gay.
Beth is surprised, admitting she’s never met a gay person before. But she actually has—her boyfriend, who pushed her to visit Frank, had ulterior motives and was attracted to Frank. After a humorous rejection, Frank explains to Beth that her boyfriend’s interest was elsewhere. He also points out that their church’s choir director was gay, shocking Beth further.
The Plot Twist:
At this point, the movie has been engaging and enjoyable. The dynamic between Frank and Beth is entertaining, and the relationship between Frank and Wally feels authentic and romantic. However, the story takes a turn when Daddy Mac dies, prompting a road trip to the funeral. Frank, knowing his family and the South, begs Wally to stay home, fearing for his safety. But Wally insists on coming along, which leads to predictable and clichéd scenes.
A Mixed Bag:
The movie starts to feel like a typical story where the straight character learns and grows from the suffering of their LGBTQ relative. Frank’s return to his hometown brings back painful memories of his first love, ending in tragedy, pushing him back into alcohol and causing friction with Wally. The film’s initial freshness gives way to overused tropes.
Character Flaws:
Wally’s character is also problematic. His ignorance of the potential dangers he faces in the South is unrealistic and insulting. Despite Frank’s warnings, he underestimates the risks, leading to an ill-advised comparison between the dangers in his home country and the conservative South.
Strong Performances:
Despite the script’s flaws, Paul Bettany delivers a strong performance, making Frank a three-dimensional character. He stands out even when the storyline doesn’t. Lillis and Macdissi are also good, though their characters suffer when the movie shifts to a more predictable, fairy-tale resolution.
Final Thoughts:
“Uncle Frank” makes the mistake of suggesting that one person’s death can suddenly make a family more accepting. The film ends with a message that despite past mistreatment, family ties should be maintained. This might not sit well with everyone, especially given the harmful behavior of Frank’s family. While it avoids a brutally sad ending, the resolution feels unearned and unrealistic.