Director: Lenny Abrahamson
Writer: Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan (Screenplay)
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy, Francois Civil, Carla Azar
Plot: Jon, a young wanna-be musician, discovers he’s bitten off more than he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank.
Verdict: Quirky Comedy Drama
Story: I am going to be honest I really didn’t know what to expect coming into this one. I had an idea, but I was completely wrong with that idea. The story follows our young wanna-be musician as he struggles to put lyrics together into a song, working a dead end job dreaming off making it. He gets a chance meeting with a band who have just lost a member and he grabs it. The one off outing goes very wrong but somehow he gets called back to help with a big project. The project is making an album more than he thought but he wants it so badly. Things get strange when it turns into making different sounds and the leader of the band alternative look on music challenges everyone. We do see them finally complete the album and make it too a performance but we learn more about the Frank character that changes everything for them all.
I thought we would get a success music story instead we got a drama about pushing people outside their comfort zones and how much it can destroy something. It is a very unique story that I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it and it is enjoyable and most importantly original. (8/10)
Actor Review
Domhnall Gleeson: Jon our young wanna-be musician who spends all his free time trying to compose song lyrics while keeping a dead end job. He gets a chance to perform with a strange band and he takes it. He tries to push the band to reach new heights but this could be the very thing that could break the band up. Good performance for the young man. (8/10)
Michael Fassbender: Frank the lead singer of the band who wears a prosthetic head that he never takes off. He has a very unique taste in his music to make sure he gets the most out of ever sound he hears, but there is a bigger secret about Frank that we want to know why he wears the head. Brilliant performance from Fassbender, who gets you hanging on his every move and word. (10/10)
Scoot McNairy: Don the manager of the group, who after a chance meeting gives Jon a chance to become the keyboard player for a night. After a terrible show Frank gives Don the order to bring Jon along while they record their album in a remote location in Ireland. Good supporting performance of a man with a troubled past trying to make something happen. (7/10)
Maggie Gyllenhaal: Clara firecracker of the group who doesn’t like any change in it. She takes an instant dislike to Jon but always cares for Frank and his wellbeing. Good performance showing that talented stars don’t need to just to be in big budget films. (8/10)
Director Review: Lenny Abrahamson – Created a very quirky comedy drama that really is enjoyable and most importantly original. (9/10)
Comedy: Has some very funny moments but doesn’t rely on its comedy. (7/10)
Drama: With so much going on with the music it can be easy to miss the drama story about how to treat people comes along without you seeing at the end. (8/10)
Mystery: The whole film you want to know what happened to make Frank where the head. (9/10)
Music: Very unique music used throughout. (8/10)
Settings: Each setting is very unique to tell how the characters moods are. (8/10)
Suggestion: Even though I enjoyed this film, I think some people may find it outside their taste. But if you like struggling musicians storylines you might enjoy this. (Try It)
Best Part: Frank brilliant character.
Worst Part: I think the album creation was a little bit too long.
Believability: Without giving too much away this could be a real story with what happens once more unfolds. (5/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Awards: Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t get a few Golden Globe nods
Oscar Chances: Unlikely but could get a surprise music award.
Box Office: $517,272
Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes
Tagline: On May 9, take off the mask.
Overall: Delightful Indie Comedy Drama
Rating 
