Frankie

The ever-watchable Isabelle Huppert stars as the terminally ill actor of the title in this naturalistic drama from writer/director Ira Sachs (Love Is Strange, Little Men). Set in Portugal over the span of a single day, the film follows a melancholy ensemble who have been summoned by Frankie, who knows she only has only months to live. She has organised the trip with optimistic intentions, but her plans are hindered by shared grief as well as her companions' various romantic and financial travails. Standing out among the cast are Brendan Gleeson (as Frankie's husband, Jimmy) and Marisa Tomei (as a long-time friend), who each bring a lived-in authenticity to their roles, as well as a believable tenderness in their interactions with Huppert. Sachs's delicate touch as a director serves his low-key story very well, keeping the tone reserved yet light, and the result is an unsentimental, unhurried and gorgeously shot piece of work.