Maybe it's a reflection of a low budget as much as intent, but there's no mistaking how very low-key and subdued a picture this is. It's a production unbothered with concern for especial evenness or integrity in its sound design; there is no music except for what may be heard in passing in a scene. The very camerawork and level of production values - lighting, shot composition - are somewhat indiscriminate, stopping just short of being uncareful. None of this is to say that the movie is bad - not at all - but it is a very plainspoken, unembellished portrait of a woman trying to get by in a society she struggles to fit into. Anyone could certainly find value here, but it's the viewer receptive to the most unsophisticated and bare-faced features that will get the most out of 'Francine.'
With few other recorded collective credits for the supporting cast (no others, for some), and the stark honesty and simplicity of each successive scene, the nature and tone of the film is unquestionably cemented. This is accordingly the first feature film of joint writers and directors Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy, and given the very independent essence of the movie, the casting of Melissa Leo feels like an extraordinary boon. However she came to be involved, Leo gives a fantastic performance illustrative of the skills that have earned her such recognition and well-deserved accolades. Protagonist Francine is complicated, a mess of emotions and personal difficulties, and Leo brings her to life with all the admirable nuance, range, and poise one would anticipate from an actor of her caliber.
Leo's acting is far and away the aspect of 'Francine' that stands out the most. Beyond that, it's worth emphasizing once more - so forward, frank, and matter-of-fact is this production that one ponders just how much of the feature was staged. Case in point: I'm a veterinary technician, and there's no doubt in my mind that proper anesthetic was used (under supervision) in a couple instances shown in passing. But were these real procedures that Shatzky and Cassidy were allowed to film? Were the euthanized pets briefly shown on camera not manufactured facsimiles? Acknowledging the seeming low budget of the film, one is left to wonder. With that said, a content warning is very necessary for depictions of ordinary veterinary procedures that a laymen may possibly find upsetting, and more so for depictions of animal neglect.
As an indeterminate amount of time passes and the directionless protagonist shuffles from one job to another, her efforts to socialize are exceeded by her embrace of companionship with animals (very relatable) - and both serve as a glaring counterpoint to an alarming lack of or inability to practice mindful care. Details aside, this is the brunt of the story the movie offers. Then, just as unassumingly as the film began, so it ends. There are no thrills or tension, and drama is minimized in a feature that takes only the most earnest and direct approach to both storytelling and film-making. The tack is most assuredly off-putting for many viewers; echoing its modest production, this is geared toward a very niche audience. Yet for those willing and able to engage with the style, there's an intelligently composed, quietly compelling portrayal unfolding within. 'Francine' is unlikely to be remembered in the annals of cinema history, but it's a worthy movie with a strong central performance, and not a bad way to spend 75 minutes if you have the chance.
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