Thursday, November 19, 2020
Uncle Frank
In the 1970s, a closet gay literature professor Frank (Paul Bettany) & his 18-year-old niece Beth (Sophia Lillis) must make a road trip back to their South Carolina hometown for a family funeral. Beth & her Uncle Frank both feel like outsiders but have a special bond with each other. Unexpectedly, Frank’s lover, Wally, joins their road trip. This situation rekindles tragic past memories. Emotions of love, hate, fear, guilt, & acceptance are explored. Bettany & Lillis are terrific. This film speaks to the homosexual attitudes of those times & the Southern good old boy way of thinking. The supporting cast of Steve Zahn, Margo Martindale, Judy Geer, & Stephen Root round out Frank’s relatives.
Alien gives it 3 “Creekville” stars out of 4.
