Published in: Indie Film Reviews

Indie Film Review “Hello, My Name Is Frank”

Author OneFilmFan

Published on: May 17, 2016

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

First, the Recap:

Syndrome.  One hears that word, and it would be safe to assume mostly negative connotations arise. Associated with the signs and symptoms that go along with specific disorders and diseases, the word carries so much weight and stigma, that it seems a stretch to see anything light-hearted or even funny about it at all. For Frank Brown (Garrett M. Brown), it is a word he must live with every day, suffering as he does with Tourette Syndrome. Reeling and down-in-the-mouth from a recent and crucial loss via his caregiver passing away, it becomes apparent Frank cannot survive alone. Laura (Rachel DiPillo), the caregivers’ daughter, soon finds herself in a dilemma, worrying for Frank and feeling the need to care for him, but therefore putting her own life and dreams on indefinite hold.

Also shouldering the desire to take a road trip to honor a friend who passed away as well, Laura and her two friends Kim (Mary Kate Wiles) and Alisa (Hayley Kiyoko) decide the trip must go on.  However, having found no new caregiver of quality to watch Frank–the girls ultimately take him along on the adventure. The ensuing trip soon becomes a bigger escapade than any of them could have imagined, as each of them ends up sharing and battling with their own individual world views and general attitudes towards each other while Frank faces an entirely alien reality around him, one that may or may not be ready to accept his affliction. But in it all, the group all finds that love, friendship and understanding can truly conquer anything.

Next, my Mind:

This reviewer will be transparent up front and say that, under normal circumstances, a film with this much harsh language would tend to put a serious damper on experiencing any true entertainment out of it, especially in today’s modern comedy context.  While I will still say it wasn’t ideal or preferred, writer/director Dale Peterson’s narrative does not put in a majority of it just for the sake of doing so, but honestly to showcase the hard realities of Tourette Syndrome and its effects on a person’s daily existence, while being able to have fun with it without making fun of it. A potent mix of jocularity, albeit irreverent, and seriously poignant moments actually make this effort one to remember, and a plucky cast certainly assists with this execution and tone as well.

Brown is absolutely amazing in playing Frank, and one can tell he did not enact any of his mannerisms in the role lightly, very much showing he researched the symptoms and tics associated with someone who has Tourette. There is no denying that the outbursts Brown acts out throughout the film have a humorous side to them, but again, one cannot take those for granted, given it is the nature of the syndrome. DiPillo adds such a wonderful mix of cuteness, dogged determination, and acute vulnerability in her role as Laura, a young woman with big dreams that are being so severely challenged when it comes to Frank and her desire to care for him while hiding the hurt and frustration within on top of losing her mother.

Wiles is equally wonderful as the soft-spoken, Christian-minded Kim, who only wants the best and tries to see the best in her friends and everything else around her, even though sometimes her faith is also cause for some basic naiveté about certain life choices and how she thinks others do or do not see her.  Kiyoko’s Alisa is the wild, free-spirited one of the bunch, and the actress surely plays up the character as such.  Yet, one knows that she is loyal to her friends regardless of what it sometimes looks like on the surface. Additional supporting turns from Travis Caldwell, Wayne Duvall, Brent Briscoe, and Tess Harper among others add to the dramatic and/or comedic elements as well.

Overall, “Hello, My Name Is Frank” ends up being one of those films you actually hope gets people’s attention and builds their awareness about Tourette Syndrome while having the chance to watch and laugh with it in a manner that shows no disrespect at all to the disease. Truthfully, the film shows that those with Tourette can still function normally, even if with a little help from understanding, loving friends and family.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment.  Until next time, thank you for reading!