Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy

Being Frank (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Being Frank (2019) movie poster

Being Frank is a 2019 comedy starring Jim Gaffigan as Frank, Logan Miller and Anna Gunn. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $67,343 worldwide on a $48,000 budget. Critics gave it 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
worldwide gross
$67.3K
Echo Score
64
Metascore
41
Loading streaming availability…
Being Frank (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$48K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Being Frank About?

The premise of Being Frank without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A teenager's plans for a carefree spring break take an unexpected turn when he discovers his controlling father is leading a double life in a secluded lake town. Philip grapples with the dilemma of exposing his father’s deception or embracing the surreal situation to learn more about family and self-discovery. The revelation challenges his understanding of his father and forces him to confront unexpected truths about identity and the complexities of family relationships.

Being Frank Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • reference to frank sidebottom
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Being Frank Cast & Characters

Jim Gaffigan leads the cast as Frank, with Logan Miller as Philip and Anna Gunn as Laura Hansen.

Also Starring in Being Frank

· 8 more
Ratings

Being Frank Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Being Frank 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in sensory experience (45).

64 /100

Being Frank Echo Score Breakdown

Being Frank elicits a divided response, blending engaging personal insight with uneven narrative cohesion. Critics praise its moments of deadpan comedy and emotional testimonies but find the tonal shifts between drama, farce, and documentary disorienting. User feedback highlights strong archival material and moving family accounts that resonate deeply. Ultimately, the film’s appeal hinges on a viewer’s tolerance for stylistic fluctuation and interest in its compelling central figure.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    Art & Craft shows glimpses of archival richness offset by inconsistent visual cohesion. Critics pointed to a lack of distinctive style and underdeveloped production design, while users commend the thoughtful assembly of archival footage and carefully paced editing. Some sequences deliver striking deadpan framing, yet the overall aesthetic sometimes feels disjointed. The visual presentation is competent but stops short of a fully integrated cinematic vision.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Character & Emotion emerges as the film’s primary asset. User perspectives emphasize a nuanced portrayal of Chris Sievey’s complex identity and the heartfelt recollections of family and friends. Critics acknowledge appealing performances yet criticize episodic character arcs in narrative segments. The central relationship dynamics—particularly between father and son—offer genuine warmth. Overall, the film delivers a strong emotional core that anchors its divergent elements.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Story & Flow suffers from uneven tone and pacing. Critics highlight whiplash between screwball comedy, dark drama, and heartfelt documentary, resulting in fragmentation. Users find the biographical arc of the subject engaging, though some note that archival detours and structural complexity interrupt forward momentum. Key moments of personal revelation hold interest, but the film struggles to sustain a coherent narrative drive. It entertains in parts but lacks consistent flow.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    Sensory Experience is modestly effective without standing out. Critics describe the sound design and soundtrack as functional yet unremarkable, citing minimal stylistic flair. Users appreciate the inclusion of vintage audio clips and period music to evoke nostalgia, though technical polish varies between documentary segments. Visuals often rely on straightforward archival presentation rather than inventive cinematography. Overall, the sensory elements support the story but rarely elevate it.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch Factor holds particular appeal for dedicated viewers. Users report multiple repeat viewings and ongoing fascination with the subject’s archival material, praising the emotional depth of family testimonies and standout comedic moments. Critics do not emphasize significant replay value but concede that certain scenes—especially those revealing personal backstory—linger in the mind. Consequently, the film offers meaningful repeat engagement for those invested in its unique subject matter.

Plot

Being Frank Plot Summary

What happens in Being Frank from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As 17-year-old Philip approaches the end of his high school journey, he clings to his aspiration of becoming a musician. His father, Frank, however, has a different roadmap laid out for him. With expectations set in stone, Frank insists on compliance with a summer internship at the family’s ketchup factory and pursuing a state college education, all while dismissing Philip’s dreams of attending NYU. One evening, Philip makes a heartfelt appeal to his mother, Laura, hoping to attend the Starling Festival at the lake to enjoy his last Spring Break as a high school student. Regrettably, despite her nostalgic memories of the festival, she denies his request, leaving Philip feeling despondent.

Full summary

The whole story of Being Frank, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Being Frank Box Office & Budget

Being Frank grossed $67,343 worldwide on a $48,000 budget, 1.4 times what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$67.3K

1.4× its budget

US & Canada
$67.3K
Budget
$48K
Videos

Being Frank Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Being Frank.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Being Frank?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Philip's dream career?

Cars

Cars in Being Frank

18 cars on screen, including the 1969 Chrysler 300 and the 1964 Ford Fairlane 500.

All 18 cars
  • 1969 Chrysler 300 in Being Frank 1969 Chrysler 300 Important role
  • 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 in Being Frank 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 Important role
  • 1968 Pontiac LeMans in Being Frank 1968 Pontiac LeMans Important role
  • 1969 Buick Skylark in Being Frank 1969 Buick Skylark Background role
Details

Being Frank Also Known As

2 alternative titles: “You Can Choose Your Family” and “Podwójne życie Franka”.

Also known as
  • You Can Choose Your Family
  • Podwójne życie Franka

Seen Being Frank?

FAQ

Being Frank FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Being Frank, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Being Frank?

Being Frank runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Being Frank released?

Being Frank was released on June 14, 2019.

Who is in the cast of Being Frank?

Being Frank stars Jim Gaffigan as Frank, Logan Miller as Philip and Anna Gunn as Laura Hansen, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Being Frank make at the box office?

Being Frank grossed $67,343 worldwide on a budget of $48,000.

How is Being Frank rated?

Being Frank has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 41 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 2.9/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Being Frank have a post-credit scene?

No. Being Frank has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app