CAPITAL IRISH FILM FESTIVAL 2023: ‘Róise & Frank’

Written and directed by Rachael Moriarty and Peter Murphy, Róise & Frank is a lovely Irish-language dramedy about overcoming grief with the healing power of dogs, kids, and time. Róise (Bríd Ní Neachtain) has been depressed since her husband Frank died, rarely leaving the house, stuck in a dower routine. Her son Alan (Cillian O’Gairbhi) isn’t doing all that much better, but they’re coping differently and not communicating well about it all. But when one day a dog comes bounding into town out of nowhere, Róise becomes convinced he is Frank reincarnated.

Don’t let the premise fool you: there’s nothing hokey about this movie. It’s truly a dramedy in how it’s both sincere and aware of its absurdity at once. Róise is in quite a state when the movie begins, and the editing in the opening sequences showing a montage of her daily monotonous, depressing routine over and over is rather strong. Meanwhile, there’s a stray, unchipped dog making its way into town and soon, Róise’s life. Watching him literally come running that way and watch the house from a distance a few times early on before he truly enters Róise’s life adds some personification while never making it all too serious.

And it’s really a perfect blend of humor and sincerity all the while. I never got the impression from Róise & Frank that we were meant to be in on a joke completely or that we were supposed to dismiss Róise’s seemingly sincere belief that this dog was in fact her dead husband Frank reincarnated. Some moments make you think it’s genuinely Frank, especially the way he watches hurling on TV and responds to intricate commands. Yet, even Róise, let alone Alan and others, are skeptical throughout. And while this dynamic is at the movie’s heart, the vehicle for delivering it, ultimately, lies in an abundant subplot where Frank becomes a coach for the local hurling team.

Again, sounds ridiculous and very Air Bud-esque, but it’s not as simple as pure comedy. Yes, Frank is a phenomenal ball-catcher, but he’s not out there making miraculous shots or proving loopholes in town ordinances (although one small gag does see local rules changed on his behalf). The hurling is really just a vehicle unto itself for giving a lonely child (Seán Mac Gearailt) a friend and self-confidence and Róise an excuse to get out of the house and find some purpose in her life again. It’s a perfectly sweet scenario that feels more realistic than a dog scoring 3-pointers and has a harder-won heartfelt end to its journey.

I did find the score a tad annoying in certain scenes, feeling more chipper than necessary during some gloomier bits. Also, a major red flag is raised for me by the movie’s antagonist when he does something rather abhorrent towards the end and suffers no consequences for it. It was honestly a bit disturbing and hard to watch and to receive no satisfaction that he was adequately held responsible was a bummer. But, by the time that moment passes and we’re in the final stage of the movie, this transgression is quickly forgiven for how perfectly the movie wraps itself up. Everything comes to a very concrete and satisfying conclusion, which helps what has already made for a pleasant movie into something honestly quite rewatchable and fulfilling.

Róise & Frank perfectly blends humor and sincerity to make what may sound like a movie with a ridiculous premise into something absolutely satisfying and cathartic as it cleverly shows how some grieving folks can learn to move on.

Róise & Frank screened as part of the Capital Irish Film Festival 2023. Follow all of our coverage here.