Review: 'Dear Frankie' an emotional stand-out

In “Dear Frankie,” Director Shona Auerbach manages to find lots of heartfelt drama in a scenario that could have easily been written off as comedy. If you’re willing to suspend your disbelief just a little, you might even cry at the next presentation of Mesa Public Library’s Free Film Series, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the upstairs meeting room theater.

Lizzie (Emily Mortimer) left Frankie’s (Jack McElhone) father years ago when Frankie was still too young to absorb how the man treated them or even what he looked like. Now that he’s 9 years old, one might think he’d forgotten all about a father he hasn’t met or spoken to since.

However, Lizzie accidentally makes sure this doesn’t happen. She writes her son letters every month, make-believing an entire life and signing each letter from his father.

About to get caught in her lie, Lizzie takes a huge risk – at least in the eyes of her mother, played endearingly by Mary Riggans – and pays a stranger to spend a day with Frankie, pretending to be the father she created in her letters.

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Los Alamos Monitor, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Los Alamos Monitor and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

The Los Alamos Monitor | lacirculation@lamonitor.com | 505-662-4185
256 DP Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday