Uncle Frank

Uncle Frank doesn't really offer any new story within its genre, but it's nicely written and mostly believably acted, so you can forgive it for a certain lack of thematic inventiveness. Allan Ball's film stands especially on the acting performances: Paul Bettany really surprised me in the role of the past-tormented Frank, as did the hitherto unknown Sophia Lillis, who managed to win me over despite her scant acting experience. I must not forget to mention the smaller, but still memorable roles of Margo Martindale, Stephen Root and the "trueblood" (and ninety-year-old!) Lois Smith. At first, it is a rather routinely filmed drama about complex family relationships, but as the story progresses it turns into a solid and dense tale with many a powerful scene, like the line between Frank and Sam, the (overwhelming) speech of the father to the son, the reading of the will, the confrontation in the cemetery or the final conversation between Frank and his mother. My only criticisms would be the brothers' conversation by the coffin and the somewhat unnecessary storyline interlude with Bruce. PS: "Mothers know!" (02/10/2021)