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Drama

Frankie (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Frankie (2019) movie poster

Frankie is a 2019 drama directed by Ira Sachs, starring Isabelle Huppert as Frankie, Marisa Tomei and Brendan Gleeson. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $725,642 worldwide. Critics gave it 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
57%
worldwide gross
$725.6K
Echo Score
55
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Frankie (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Ira Sachs
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Frankie About?

The premise of Frankie without spoilers.

During a late summer vacation in Sintra, Portugal, a multi-generational family gathers, led by the respected matriarch. Their time together becomes a thoughtful examination of love, loss, and the complexities of familial bonds. As they navigate shared moments and quiet reflections, long-held secrets and unspoken desires surface, revealing the intricate connections that define their relationships and shape their individual journeys.

Frankie Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • beach
  • sintra portugal
  • bare chested male
  • character name as title
  • one word title
  • female protagonist
  • singing
  • swimming pool
  • hotel
  • tourist
  • view through binoculars
  • reference to star wars
+38 more
  • tram
  • 88th birthday
  • blowing out candles on a birthday cake
  • reference to greta garbo
  • rain
  • terminal illness
  • playing piano
  • family relationships
  • vocalizing
  • vocalizing during opening credits
  • swimming
  • prologue
  • fountain
  • husband wife relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • portuguese
  • burmese gold
  • champagne diamond
  • pomellato jewelry
  • knocking on a door
  • kiss on the forehead
  • apology
  • son kisses his mother on the forehead
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • applying makeup
  • vacation
  • love
  • reference to noah baumbach
  • hair stylist
  • reference to farrah fawcett
  • second unit director of photography
  • suitcase
  • teenage girl wears shorts
  • teenage girl
  • sanctuary of peninha sintra mountains portugal
  • promise
  • sintra mountains portugal
  • looking in a window
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Cast & crew

Frankie Cast & Characters

Isabelle Huppert leads the cast as Frankie, with Marisa Tomei as Ilene and Brendan Gleeson as Jimmy. Directed by Ira Sachs; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Ira Sachs

More films directed by Ira Sachs, best-rated first: Little Men, Love Is Strange, Keep the Lights On and Peter Hujar's Day.

Full filmography
Ratings

Frankie Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Frankie 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (35).

55 /100

Frankie Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall reception, Frankie is characterized by commendable performances and appealing visuals offset by a lack of narrative drive. The ensemble cast is frequently praised for subtle, engaging work, and the film’s scenic cinematography and soundtrack create an inviting sense of place. However, critics point to a fragmented script and pacing issues that diminish engagement, and subplots often feel underdeveloped. On balance, Frankie offers moments of charm but falls short of a cohesive dramatic experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, Frankie displays notable visual appeal through its measured cinematography and polished production design. The film’s picturesque locations and understated color palette receive consistent praise for creating an immersive backdrop. Critics note that the editing maintains a steady rhythm, though some scenes linger without clear purpose. Overall, the visual execution contributes positively but occasionally overstays its welcome.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    In terms of character and emotion, the ensemble cast delivers nuanced performances that often elevate understated dialogue. Reviewers commend the chemistry between leads and the subtle emotional beats that emerge in key scenes. However, some supporting roles feel underexplored, leading to uneven depth across the cast. Ultimately, the portrayals remain a standout element despite occasional stiffness.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, Frankie struggles with coherence and forward momentum, as critics note a fragmented narrative with loosely connected vignettes. Pacing issues arise from scenes that overstay their welcome, and subplots frequently lack sufficient development to engage fully. While thematic intentions are apparent, the overall structure undermines narrative engagement from start to finish.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film offers an appealing auditory and visual atmosphere, with a rich soundtrack complementing the scenic visuals. Sound design remains subtle yet effective in underlining key moments. Some reviewers mention that the gentle pace and serene aesthetics create a relaxed ambiance, though this calmness can diminish dramatic impact in crucial scenes.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, Frankie presents a blend of appealing moments and structural limitations that affect long-term appeal. While the cast performances and visual sequences retain some charm upon revisiting, the uneven pacing and lack of narrative stakes reduce motivation for repeat viewings. Overall, the film offers modest replay value.

Box office

Frankie Box Office

Frankie grossed $725,642 worldwide. $171,781 came from the US and Canada and $553,861 (76%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$725.6K

US & Canada
$171.8K
International
$553.9K
US & Canada 24% Rest of the world 76%
Cars

Cars in Frankie

9 cars on screen, including the 2013 Piaggio Ape Calessino 200 and the 2003 Citroën Berlingo.

All 9 cars
  • 2013 Piaggio Ape Calessino 200 in Frankie 2013 Piaggio Ape Calessino 200 Minor role
  • 2003 Citroën Berlingo in Frankie 2003 Citroën Berlingo Background role
  • 2007 Fiat Linea in Frankie 2007 Fiat Linea Background role
  • 1994 Fiat Punto in Frankie 1994 Fiat Punto Background role

Seen Frankie?

FAQ

Frankie FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Frankie?

Frankie runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Frankie released?

Frankie was released on October 25, 2019.

Who directed Frankie?

Frankie was directed by Ira Sachs.

More films by Ira Sachs

Who is in the cast of Frankie?

Frankie stars Isabelle Huppert as Frankie, Marisa Tomei as Ilene and Brendan Gleeson as Jimmy, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Frankie make at the box office?

Frankie grossed $725,642 worldwide ($171,781 domestic, $553,861 international).

How is Frankie rated?

Frankie has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 77% on TMDB.

Does Frankie have a post-credit scene?

No. Frankie has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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