MovieChat Forums > Dear Frankie (2005) Discussion > Gerard Butler, Any opinions.

Gerard Butler, Any opinions.

posted 13 years ago by bono_vox_is_god
14 replies | jump to latest

I do believe this is his best performance to date. The scene where she reveals what happened to Frankie, he reacts with such emotion played on an incredibly subtle level that knocked me over. This was the first film I ever saw him in and I knew that he was a movie star. I told people, watch this 'Gerard Butler' fellow and people would draw a blank. Try saying that now. Since then I have seen every film he has ever made, but no performance can measure against this one.

I've come to the conclusion that possibly he isn't choosing challenging enough roles or that having to perform with an American accent has a definite hinderance on his performance. Especially his focus on the emotional aspects, but then again, Butterfly on a Wheel is an exception to that rule.

Any opinions?

[–] Yellowman88 13 years ago

He looked like an emotional rock to me. I really don't think he's great in dramatic acting roles. I'm not saying he's a bad actor but he is learning. I felt like Emily Mortimer and Frankie took every seen away. Both of them had a lot of chemistry. The Frankie and Gerard Bulter relationship just felt so plastic.

[–] Florida2 13 years ago

He was well cast in the very awkward role of a substitute Dad and was very believable, for certain...

[–] bear022013-588-696101 9 years ago

We do not need substitute Dads!

[–] rack_focus 13 years ago

The scene where he first met Frankie and shared a look with the mother when Frankie happily looked at the book and then hugged him...that alone was brilliant. Torn and even a little bit sad. The rest of it was just icing on the cake.

Definitely my favorite film of his. I wish he did more roles like this. Alas, he is doomed to either play the romantic lead, or action.

[–] shoppermom26 9 years ago

I disagree with Yellowman88 completely. All of the performances were stellar. But Gerard's quiet performance was extremely powerful. He said so much with a small smile and a clench of his jaw.

I have watched this movie over and over and it gets me every single time. Every. Time.

[–] lamont-hard 13 years ago

I thought he acted well, But to me this actor has fallen in to a type cast character, of the romantic lead or the lover to save the woman, or to pull on women,s heartstrings and it really works for him. To me he is and has been ready to move into the elite top actors, and my guest is that once you have played the heartthrob for so many films you do not have enough male fans to make the big money movies, I.E. Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Russell Crow, Denzel Washington, These actors do not do many romance movies because it alienates male movie goers, whom could care less about going to the movie with there buddies to see him romancing women. Where you get to the top of the male acting list, you have to be a good action, good looking, and believable talent. I feel this actor is missing the good action type.

[–] FrenchHornGirl 13 years ago

By far, one of his best performances. He is an amazing actor, as long as he has the right role.

"I could have been killed, and you're drinkin'!"

[–] LefthandedBabe 13 years ago

I agree, I think it was an amazing performance, and it was the first thing I'd seen him in, too. I really wanted him to be James Bond after seeing this.

I thought his performance was amazing, considering he's supposed to be someone who is dealing with an emotionally fragile, skittish woman. He had be very calm, still and gentle, because any move he made could have set her off.

What's....this....ruckus?

[–] Puddlemini 12 years ago

I agree OP. The way he carried himself in different situations, his reactions to each uncomfortable thing, each positive emotion was very beautiful to see. He had a flirtatious swagger with the mother, and a kind of empathetic/sad look with the kid. I thought he did really well as someone that was supposed to be emotionally distant but couldnt help himself from feeling something.

I think my favorite scene was when Frankie gave him the clay(?) seahorse.

An onion can make people cry, but there is no vegetable invented to make them laugh.

[–] casey_in_private2 11 years ago

ohw I Loved this movie.. I was hoping he would write to them or just to the kid or maybe even come back for them but ahwell.. no luck.. I'm going to bed sad as ever..lol.. I loved the way he(gerard) went from icy acting stranger to caring substitute. I'm a huge gerard fan so i'm bias but this was a touching movie with a nice storyline. the kids acting was amazing too.

[–] Februarydreams 10 years ago

I agree. I wish he continued to do more films like this.

The best things are last

[–] bear022013-909-645034 10 years ago

I thought it was an Irish film for a moment.Too bad it was not...with some fine Irish Actors in it...young and old.