Being Frank (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place in a serene lake town centered around a picturesque lake. This location hosts the Starling Festival, a beloved community event. The town also features a ketchup factory, which represents the mundane, traditional life that Frank wants for Philip, contrasting with Philip's dreams of becoming a musician.

• setting
• lake town
• location
• starlight festival
• ketchup factory

The story unfolds in the modern day, set in contemporary times. This reflects the current era's rapidly changing family dynamics and individual aspirations, particularly the tensions between parental expectations and the pursuit of personal dreams.

• time period
• modern day
• contemporary era

The film explores three core themes: self-discovery, as Philip navigates conflicting expectations to find his true identity; family dynamics, which highlight the complexities of relationships when Frank's secret life is revealed; and conflict, which tests the bonds between family members as they struggle with deception and the need for acceptance.

• themes
• self-discovery
• family dynamics
• conflict
• meaning

Philip is a 17-year-old protagonist with dreams of becoming a musician. He finds himself caught between his father Frank's traditional expectations and his own aspirations. His journey to the lake town becomes a quest for identity, ultimately leading him to realize the importance of following his passion for music despite familial pressure.

• philip
• main character
• teenager
• musician

Frank is Philip's father, portrayed as a well-meaning but overbearing parent who adheres to traditional values. He struggles with his own shortcomings, including infidelity, making him a complex figure. He attempts to guide Philip toward a stable, conventional life while secretly living a double life in the lake town.

• frank
• father
• parent
• family

Bonnie is Frank's secret wife who lives in the lake town. Her existence embodies the unexpected complexities of relationships that challenge Philip's understanding of family. Her character adds significant emotional tension to the story, revealing the extent of Frank's deception.

• bonnie
• secret wife
• family secret

The lake represents a place of escape and transformation for Philip. It serves as the backdrop for his journey of self-discovery, contrasting his controlled suburban life with a world where he can explore his true identity. The annual Starling Festival symbolizes community and tradition, highlighting what Philip is searching for beyond his father's expectations.

• lake
• starling festival
• escape
• transformation

The ketchup factory represents the mundane, conventional life that Frank envisions for Philip, a stable, traditional career path. It symbolizes the tension between Philip's artistic aspirations and his father's desire for predictability. This setting contrasts sharply with Philip's dreams of pursuing music and his emerging independence.

• ketchup factory
• mundane life
• expectations
• tradition

Being Frank follows Philip's journey of self-discovery as he grapples with his father's secret life while exploring his own identity. The trip to the lake town becomes a catalyst for personal growth, helping Philip realize he must follow his passion for music rather than conform to his father's rigid expectations. This theme is central to his coming-of-age journey.

• self-discovery
• identity
• coming-of-age
• music dreams

The film examines family dynamics through the lens of deception and revelation. When Philip discovers his father has a secret life and another family, it triggers an emotional crisis. The story explores how infidelity impacts a blended family, the struggle for acceptance, and the difficult path toward understanding despite betrayal.

• family
• relationships
• infidelity
• betrayal
• blended family

Being Frank is primarily classified as a comedy, but it carries a bittersweet tone that balances humor with genuine emotional weight. The film uses comedic situations, especially the surreal premise of a teenager discovering his father's secret family, while addressing serious themes like infidelity and deception. The tone prevents the heavier topics from becoming overwhelming while still delivering emotional depth.

• comedy
• tone
• genre
• bittersweet
• emotional

Laura is Philip's mother, who grapples with nostalgia and the complexities of her family's situation. She represents the tension between protecting her son and accepting the reality imposed by her husband's choices. Her reluctance to fully support Philip's musical dreams reflects her own conflict between wanting to shield him and confronting the family's fractured state.

• laura
• mother
• parent
• family