Release Date:  March 18, 2005
Rating:  PG-13 (for language)
Genre:  Drama
Run Time:  105 min.
Director:  Shona Auerbach
Actors:  Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler, Jack McElhone, Mary Riggins, Sharon Small, Sean Brown

Frankie (Jack McElhone, “Young Adam”) may be deaf, but he’s not dumb.  The nine-year-old is smart, funny and secure enough to correct a bully’s spelling, after the bully writes “Def boy” on Frankie’s desk – and this, despite the fact that he and his mother Lizzie (Emily Mortimer, “Lovely and Amazing”) are constantly on the go and Frankie is always the new kid.  Together with Frankie’s chain-smoking grandmother, Nell (Mary Riggins), they move from town to town in Scotland, trying to avoid discovery by Frankie’s abusive father.

Frankie believes that his father is a merchant marine who works aboard the H.M.S. Accra, a name Lizzie created when she first spun the yarn to protect Frankie from learning the truth about his ‘da.’  But Lizzie’s tall tale has become a disturbing ruse.  She writes to Frankie in the name of his father and the boy, who lives for each letter, writes him back.  Frankie also tracks his fathers ‘travels’ on a map in his room and is obsessed with all things maritime.  The ruse works because Lizzie faithfully collects Frankie’s letters at a post office box and spends a small fortune in foreign stamps from a stamp collector, which have made their way into Frankie’s now-formidable collection.

When the H.M.S. Accra – which does exist – sails into the port of Glasgow, the hoax is up for Lizzie.  But, pushed by a friend, Frankie bets his stamp collection that his father will come to see him.  When Lizzie hears this, she has another dilemma.  Does she tell her son the truth or ratchet up the ruse another notch?  She confides in a friend, who offers to provide the ‘da’ for a small fee.  In walks the stranger (Gerard Butler,“Phantom of the Opera”), who while distant at first, soon warms to the charming Frankie.  In fact, he seems to be warming to Lizzie as well, who hasn’t failed to notice his charms, either.

Going into this film, I expected two things.  First, I expected a rather syrupy story that overflowed with contrivances and schmaltz.  Second, I expected to judge the mother character for a deception which is, ultimately, abusive.  On both counts, I was wrong.  “Dear Frankie” is a wonderful film that conveys great truth about the human heart and the burning need we all have for a father.