Being Frank

Play trailer

2:31

Being Frank

R

2019

1h 49m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

Jan 18, 2021

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

See more

Dec 6, 2020

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

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Miranda Bailey

Director

Jim Gaffigan

Frank

Anna Gunn

Laura

Samantha Mathis

Bonnie

Alex Karpovsky

Ross

Logan Miller

Phillip

Most Likely to Murder

62%

46%

Most Likely to Murder

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Most Likely to Murder

The Beanie Bubble

46%

54%

The Beanie Bubble

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Beanie Bubble

The Festival

81%

44%

The Festival

Watchlist

Family

74%

78%

Family

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Family

An L.A. Minute

22%

100%

An L.A. Minute

Watchlist

TRAILER

for An L.A. Minute

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Being Frank: Trailer 1

2:31

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings