
Dear Frankie
Seen it?2004 | 105 min | Drama, Family
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for families. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- No age rating on record, so check it first for young kids.
Nine-year-old Frankie and his single mum Lizzie have been on the move ever since Frankie can remember, most recently arriving in a seaside Scottish town. Wanting to protect her deaf son from the truth that they've run away from his father, Lizzie has invented a story that he is away at sea on the HMS Accra. Every few weeks, Lizzie writes Frankie a make-believe letter from his father, telling of his adventures in exotic lands. As Frankie tracks the ship's progress around the globe, he discovers that it is due to dock in his hometown. With the real HMS Accra arriving in only a fortnight, Lizzie must choose between telling Frankie the truth or finding the perfect stranger to play Frankie's father for just one day...
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
0 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 28K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Shona Auerbach
- Gerard ButlerThe Stranger
- Emily MortimerLizzie
- Jack McElhoneFrankie
- Sharon SmallMarie
- Katy MurphyMiss MacKenzie
- Jayd JohnsonCatriona
- Mary RiggansNell
- Cal MacAninchDavey
- John KazekAlly
- Anne Marie TimoneyJanet