Being Frank

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2:31

Being Frank

R

2019

1h 49m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

34%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

While celebrating spring break, 17-year-old Phil is shocked to see his father with another woman across state lines. His life gets turned upside down even more when he learns that good old dad actually has an entirely different family living in town.

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Critics Consensus

Being Frank suggests Jim Gaffigan may have a real future as a dramatic actor -- if only he's offered projects that don't suffer from so much wasted potential.

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Jamie Ludwig

Chicago Reader

Mar 20, 2020

Sure there are some laughs in this dark comedy, but frankly it's a story about an ordinary man who lies to the people he loves and teaches his son to do the same.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Jun 21, 2019

3/4

What a jerk. But what an interesting jerk to be at the center of a quirky and entertaining deadpan comedy/drama.

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Pat Padua

Washington Post

Jun 18, 2019

2/4

Unfortunately, in the filmmaker's narrative-feature debut, she takes the theme of betrayal and turns it into fodder for a sitcom, and not a particularly funny one at that.

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Charles Koplinski

Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam

Nov 20, 2020

2.5/4.0

Jim Gaffigan shows us he can do both comedy and drama in this crazy film about lies begetting lies and the love a child for his father.

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Steven Prokopy

Third Coast Review

Jul 14, 2020

3.5/4

The movie blends humor with tragedy in a way that makes for both a wonderful profile of a gifted, misunderstood genius and a cautionary tale about being careful what you wish for in the world of the famous.

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Josh Goller

Spectrum Culture

Jul 16, 2019

2.5/5

Being Frank threatens to sink under the weight of life-altering deception played for laughs.

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Megan D

@filmfinatic Sep 9, 2025

This movie was casted really well and the plot was fantastic, I loved the 90s setting. It could have had more funny scenes but it’s worth a watch especially if you like Jim Gaffigans stand up.

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Cork B

@RT87142816 Aug 30, 2023

I don't really fault the cast here, I think they did a good job with the material presented. But geez, this is such a messed up premise for a comedy.

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Joy B

@RT75016705 Aug 20, 2023

Unbelievable plot but I stayed awake. I was mostly disturbed by what the father was teaching the son and how the son was suddenly fully bought in by the end. It just didn't make sense to me but I watched it.

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Feb 20, 2021

Can't believe this only grossed 65k at the box office, this is an awesomely entertaining movie with talented actors. Really enjoyed the entire movie with plenty of drama and comedy, yet still relevant enough to believe the story line could have been a real story.

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Jan 18, 2021

Well definitely an interesting movie, It still wasn't the best

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Dec 6, 2020

Hilarious movie, good message. Jim's acting in this is really great. I'd watch it again!

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Miranda Bailey

Director

Jim Gaffigan

Frank

Anna Gunn

Laura

Samantha Mathis

Bonnie

Alex Karpovsky

Ross

Logan Miller

Phillip

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Being Frank: Trailer 1

2:31

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Synopsis

While celebrating spring break, 17-year-old Phil is shocked to see his father with another woman across state lines. His life gets turned upside down even more when he learns that good old dad actually has an entirely different family living in town.

Director: Miranda Bailey
Producer: Miranda Bailey, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Amanda Marshall
Screenwriter: Glen Lakin
Distributor: The Film Arcade
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment, Cold Iron Pictures
Rating: R (Drug Use|Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $65.4K
Runtime: 1h 49m

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