"Bad Frank", 2016 - Dir. by Tony Germinario
Frank Pierce is a bad, bad man. Or, is he? That's the central question posed in "Bad Frank", and excellent thriller/dark drama that I had the good fortune to see as part of the Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest, held in Teaneck, NJ in December of 2016. Even though this was essentially a horror film fest, and "Bad Frank" is not truly what I would classify as a horror film, I am glad it was screened and that I had a chance to see it.
Written and directed by New Jersey native Tony Germinario, "Bad Frank" tells the story of Frank Pierce, expertly portrayed by another NJ boy, Kevin Interdonato, who, overall, turns in a bravura performance throughout the entire film.
Frank seems to be living a great home life. He has a beautiful wife, played equally well by lovely and talented Amanda Clayton, and a nice home, yet, from the opening scenes, we detect a simmering rage lurking just beneath Frank's surface, as we go from him having an intimate moment with his wife, to a seemingly harmless household accident that ponts to something a little more sinister hiding underneath. As the story unfolds, we discover that Frank's relationship with his mother and father is strained, and they all have not seen each other in a long time. Why? Well, we will find that out later..... We also discover that Frank seems to be a recovering alcoholic. At least that's the impression given when he visits his father in a local bar and he turns down a beer in favor of water. The interaction between Frank has his dad (Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini) gives a great sense of the tense relationship between father and son.
I have to stop here to point out a scene that affected me in particular. Frank makes a phone call to his dad to try and "set things right". The emotion Kevin Interdonato displays in this scene had this writer thinking about his relationship with his own father. It's not easy to portray true despair on the screen, and Interdonato pulls is off seemingly with ease.
Written and directed by New Jersey native Tony Germinario, "Bad Frank" tells the story of Frank Pierce, expertly portrayed by another NJ boy, Kevin Interdonato, who, overall, turns in a bravura performance throughout the entire film.
Frank seems to be living a great home life. He has a beautiful wife, played equally well by lovely and talented Amanda Clayton, and a nice home, yet, from the opening scenes, we detect a simmering rage lurking just beneath Frank's surface, as we go from him having an intimate moment with his wife, to a seemingly harmless household accident that ponts to something a little more sinister hiding underneath. As the story unfolds, we discover that Frank's relationship with his mother and father is strained, and they all have not seen each other in a long time. Why? Well, we will find that out later..... We also discover that Frank seems to be a recovering alcoholic. At least that's the impression given when he visits his father in a local bar and he turns down a beer in favor of water. The interaction between Frank has his dad (Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini) gives a great sense of the tense relationship between father and son.
I have to stop here to point out a scene that affected me in particular. Frank makes a phone call to his dad to try and "set things right". The emotion Kevin Interdonato displays in this scene had this writer thinking about his relationship with his own father. It's not easy to portray true despair on the screen, and Interdonato pulls is off seemingly with ease.
Star Kevin Interdonato (Frank Pierce)
As with many people, Frank has that "one friend" who can't seem to stay out of trouble and is constanly dragging everyone around him into his bullshit. Well, in this case, that person is Travis (Brandon Heitkamp), a degenerate gambler who turns to Frank for help in dealing with the local crime boss, Mickey Duro. (Just a quick note here....the character of Mickey is played by veteran actor Tom Sizemore, in a gleefully over the top performance).
Travis drags Frank to a drug going down between Mickey and his slimy "enforcer" Niko (Russ Russo) and some local dealers and, of course, everything goes south, and Frank finds himself drawn back into a world of violence and deceit that he though he had left behind years ago.
Anyone who has read The Horror Nerd's reviews knows that I don't like to give away too many plot details, and this will be no exception. What I will say is that the remainder of the film deals with Frank's struggle to maintain the life he has, as he is drawn deeper and deeper into the dark world he has tried to stay clear of. Watching Frank struggle to decide who he really is makes up the heart of the film, and it's a journey that is alternately thrilling and heartbreaking right up to the tense and exciting climax of the film.
Travis drags Frank to a drug going down between Mickey and his slimy "enforcer" Niko (Russ Russo) and some local dealers and, of course, everything goes south, and Frank finds himself drawn back into a world of violence and deceit that he though he had left behind years ago.
Anyone who has read The Horror Nerd's reviews knows that I don't like to give away too many plot details, and this will be no exception. What I will say is that the remainder of the film deals with Frank's struggle to maintain the life he has, as he is drawn deeper and deeper into the dark world he has tried to stay clear of. Watching Frank struggle to decide who he really is makes up the heart of the film, and it's a journey that is alternately thrilling and heartbreaking right up to the tense and exciting climax of the film.
OK, on to the "review" portion of our review!
This is a well written and well directed film. Tony Germinario, and co-writers Kevin Interdonato and Russ Russo do a great job with the subject matter. It would be way to easy to write a simple crime drama, but there's another, very deep layer to this film. Frank Pierce is a complex character. I would have also been to easy to write him as just another "brute", and I'm happy to say that's not the case. I loved the way that Frank's relationships with the people in his life are explored, and how every action he takes affects those people. Watching Frank struggle with his inner demons kept me glued to the screen. The "indicent" that sets everything in motion is merely just the fuse that is lit, and from there, we see two stories if you will. One is simply how bad people go about their business, and the other, deeper story, is watching Frank unravel and finally discover who, and what, he really is.
I also have to point out that there was a nice amount of dark humor pepperer throughout the script. The story is very tense, and these moments allow the audience to release some of that tension, and they are welcomed. There's one line in particular near the very end of the film that, despite the violence throughout the film (which is never gratuitous by the way), gives the audience a chance to laugh and to try and process what they've just watched for the last 100 minutes.
As a reviewer, I have to be fair, and there are a couple of minor nitpicks that I would point out. There are a few scenes that could have been trimmed a bit without detracting from the story, and there are a few charachter decisions that make me scratch my head, but these are minor nitpicks. I was reluctant to even mention them, but they were things that were noticeable to me.
Another quick not about the violence. There are some very graphic moments in the film, but as I stated, it's never gratuitous. It fits the story nicely, and I'm glad that director Germinario didn't shy away from it.
This is a well written and well directed film. Tony Germinario, and co-writers Kevin Interdonato and Russ Russo do a great job with the subject matter. It would be way to easy to write a simple crime drama, but there's another, very deep layer to this film. Frank Pierce is a complex character. I would have also been to easy to write him as just another "brute", and I'm happy to say that's not the case. I loved the way that Frank's relationships with the people in his life are explored, and how every action he takes affects those people. Watching Frank struggle with his inner demons kept me glued to the screen. The "indicent" that sets everything in motion is merely just the fuse that is lit, and from there, we see two stories if you will. One is simply how bad people go about their business, and the other, deeper story, is watching Frank unravel and finally discover who, and what, he really is.
I also have to point out that there was a nice amount of dark humor pepperer throughout the script. The story is very tense, and these moments allow the audience to release some of that tension, and they are welcomed. There's one line in particular near the very end of the film that, despite the violence throughout the film (which is never gratuitous by the way), gives the audience a chance to laugh and to try and process what they've just watched for the last 100 minutes.
As a reviewer, I have to be fair, and there are a couple of minor nitpicks that I would point out. There are a few scenes that could have been trimmed a bit without detracting from the story, and there are a few charachter decisions that make me scratch my head, but these are minor nitpicks. I was reluctant to even mention them, but they were things that were noticeable to me.
Another quick not about the violence. There are some very graphic moments in the film, but as I stated, it's never gratuitous. It fits the story nicely, and I'm glad that director Germinario didn't shy away from it.
While the script is excellent, the true heart of "Bad Frank" is the performances turned in by the talented cast. It's rare to find such a collection of talent in an independent film, but here it is.
Kevin Interdonato turns in an alternately touching and menacing performance as Frank Pierce. How he goes from simmering (or overt) rage to having a touching moment on the phone with his dad, or with his wife, is a testament to his range. Frank is NOT just a brute, and that's because of the combination of good writing, and great acting. Kevin won "Best Actor" at the Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest for this performance. Not only was it well deserved, but I think it's going to be the first of many.
Tom Sizemore is, well, Tom Sizemore. It would be easy to dismiss his portrayal of crime boss Mickey Duro as over-the-top hamminess, but that is exactly the point. His type IS over the top. He's violent, yet funny, and actually has feelings, especially for his daughter (Lynn Mancinelli). Watching Tom do his thing on the screen in this film is a treat.
Another terrific performance I would like to point out is that of Lynn Mancinelli, who plays Mickey's daughter Crystal. Crystal is something of a typical mobster's daughter (party girl, no rules), but she also has more depth, as we see during some particularly intense scenes between her and Frank. Crystal plays a pivotal role in the plot of the film, and Mancinelli handles all of her scenese with ease.
The rest of the supporting cast is excellent all the way around. New Jersey's own Brian O'Halloran ("Clerks", "Clerks 2", "Mr. Hush") has a great turn as Donnie Shakes, the guy who "knows everyone" and can get things done. O'Halloran brings a much needed level of comic relief to the film, and it's always a pleasure seeing him on the screen. Russ Russo is also a standout as Mickey Duro's sleazy "enforcer". I genuinely hated him, and I mean that in a good way!!
I also have to mention Amanda Clayton as Frank's wife Gina. Watching her try to deal with Frank has he unravels is a testament to her acting talent. I got a true sense of her struggle as she tries to stand by Frank, even as he starts lashing out at her more and more. The rest of the supporting cast rounds out the film nicely.
Again, "Bad Frank" is a great story, but any script is only as good as the actors that have to bring it to life, and in this case, I can honestly say that this is a prime example of a group of talented people who are dedicated to their craft.
Kevin Interdonato turns in an alternately touching and menacing performance as Frank Pierce. How he goes from simmering (or overt) rage to having a touching moment on the phone with his dad, or with his wife, is a testament to his range. Frank is NOT just a brute, and that's because of the combination of good writing, and great acting. Kevin won "Best Actor" at the Northeast Film Festival Horror Fest for this performance. Not only was it well deserved, but I think it's going to be the first of many.
Tom Sizemore is, well, Tom Sizemore. It would be easy to dismiss his portrayal of crime boss Mickey Duro as over-the-top hamminess, but that is exactly the point. His type IS over the top. He's violent, yet funny, and actually has feelings, especially for his daughter (Lynn Mancinelli). Watching Tom do his thing on the screen in this film is a treat.
Another terrific performance I would like to point out is that of Lynn Mancinelli, who plays Mickey's daughter Crystal. Crystal is something of a typical mobster's daughter (party girl, no rules), but she also has more depth, as we see during some particularly intense scenes between her and Frank. Crystal plays a pivotal role in the plot of the film, and Mancinelli handles all of her scenese with ease.
The rest of the supporting cast is excellent all the way around. New Jersey's own Brian O'Halloran ("Clerks", "Clerks 2", "Mr. Hush") has a great turn as Donnie Shakes, the guy who "knows everyone" and can get things done. O'Halloran brings a much needed level of comic relief to the film, and it's always a pleasure seeing him on the screen. Russ Russo is also a standout as Mickey Duro's sleazy "enforcer". I genuinely hated him, and I mean that in a good way!!
I also have to mention Amanda Clayton as Frank's wife Gina. Watching her try to deal with Frank has he unravels is a testament to her acting talent. I got a true sense of her struggle as she tries to stand by Frank, even as he starts lashing out at her more and more. The rest of the supporting cast rounds out the film nicely.
Again, "Bad Frank" is a great story, but any script is only as good as the actors that have to bring it to life, and in this case, I can honestly say that this is a prime example of a group of talented people who are dedicated to their craft.
Folks, The Horror Nerd sees A LOT of indie films every year. It's one of the joys of going to film festivals, being a judge at some of them, and running my own events. It's films like "Bad Frank" that remind me of why I got into the indie film scene to begin with. Be sure to try and catch this film at a festival near you, as I have a feeling that it's going to be winning more awards.
Horror Nerd's Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Broken Eyeglasses!
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