bjarias
..it's not a box-office 'must-see' by any stretch.. but being a fan of both Imogen Poots, and Michael Nyqvist, it pretty much was an easy choice... she's one of those individuals that a decade will add little age to her appearance.. at 27, she has been acting for the past thirteen years, and she'll have a very long career should she so choose.. the story is nothing new, but all the leads, and the entire ensemble for that matter, are well cast, and their portrayals are true.. and there are a couple of scenes where you see just how good at their craft they all are.. it's not one that 'must-be'.. but it can be viewed again with some measure of pleasure
lavatch
Neither a romance or a thriller, "Frank & Lola" would appear to be another tawdry film on the order of "Fifty Shades of Grey." A skilled chef (Frank) meets an aspiring fashion designer (Lola), and they immediately have sex. While there appears to be chemistry between the two people, it turns out that Lola immediately has sex with a stranger, leading to the couple's first major argument, then a long string of separations.At that moment when the woman was unfaithful, the relationship should have ended. Instead, the film introduces a bizarre subplot with a former lover of Lola in Paris. The film then turns into an implausible psychological drama that was both confusing and a complete bore.The most interesting scenes in the film related to career of Frank as a chef in swanky hotel restaurants. It was clear that he was a gifted and imaginative chef with special talents. Additionally, the fine actor Michael Shannon was completely convincing in the role.Sadly, the film did not engage as a love story. It appeared as though the filmmakers were attempting to create the philosophical profundity of a European art film. But the result was a spin-off of "Fifty Shades of Grey."
Aditya Rao
Frank & Lola- honestly i fell in love with this movie the moment i saw the poster. It looked like an intense love story and it was! i enjoyed watching this film. Debutant director Matthew Ross proves he has talent & he did a decent job considering his first movie. Wont be revelaing the plot as it will spoil the fun for those wanting to see it. Micheal Shannon is such a terrific actor. He played the possessive and intense lover superbly... I fell in love with actress Imogen Poots...such a beauty <3 ..even she has given a fantastic performance. Both have dynamic chemistry on screen. Its a 80 min crisp movie and i liked the way the movie ended..IMO it took the film to another level. Highly recommend to watch this film for the acting and story.
David Ferguson
Greetings again from the darkness. Michael Shannon continues to be one of the most interesting actors working today. In this first feature from writer/director Matthew Ross, Mr. Shannon is the titular Frank, and his pained facial expressions elevate this neo-noir into a dark and intriguing exposition on male obsession and sexual jealousy.The abrupt opening scene finds Frank and Lola (Imogen Poots) frolicking in bed after obviously just meeting for the first time that evening. We (and Lola) know we are in for something a bit different when Frank slams on the breaks and states, "Maybe we should wait until next time." Lola is taken aback, and we are soon watching this relationship develop
while simultaneously noting the subtle signs of troubled pasts for each of them.Frank is a talented French chef and Lola is just starting her career as a fashion designer. His dark side flashes a bit more often, but before Lola ever comes clean, we realize there is unhappiness in her past. They seem to be two tortured souls in a jinxed relationship.Filmmaker Ross keeps us (and Frank) on our toes as the script seems to continually offer yet another deeply held secret or mysterious character. Justin Long plays Lola's new employer, while the rarely-seen-these-days Rosanna Arquette plays Lola's name-dropping mother. However, it's Michael Nyquist (so great in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) as the suave Frenchman with ties to Lola's past and present that really makes things interesting
and somehow even darker. His wife is played by the terrific French actress Emmanuelle Devos. Her screen time is limited, yet crucial.The film was well received at Sundance, and it shares the creepiness of such films as Basic Instinct, Body Heat and Night Moves. Rarely do contemporary movies go as deep into the male psyche of obsession as this one, and the throw-back atmosphere is a perfect fit for the tone. Not many actors simmer like Michael Shannon, and the story offers him the perfect vehicle to remind us that everyone longs to be loved - even when we aren't sure we deserve it.