MovieChat Forums > Franklyn (2009) Discussion > Here's what really happened

Here's what really happened

posted 13 years ago by guitarraelectrica
21 replies | jump to latest

ATTENTION: SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, here's the deal.

a) David was a soldier in Irak. His sister, Sarah, died a few days before he returned, and he just lost his mind. He made up Meanwhile City and a split personality, "Jonathan Preest". He just wants to kill his father because he believes he's responsible for the death of his sister.

b) Milo created an imaginary friend, "Sally", in his childhood. Now, why does Sally look exactly like Emilia? I believe Emilia was following him (remember she did follow people, disguised WITH A WIG), and Milo saw her. He believes Emilia (disguised) is Sally, and continues obsessing with her.

c) Peter is a religious man who believes that God took Sarah from their side. Damn, he fits the Individual perfectly!

d) Emilia was sexually abused during her childhood (cliché!) and finds no better way for expressing her pain that making art out of suicide (now THAT is original). At the end, when she meets Milo and the camera pans upwards to show us MEANWHILE CITY, that means she just understood what David was trying to say to her (this is: she got into his mind).

e) There is NO character named Franklyn. It's just a dude who lived in the same building as Emilia and then moved, but his name remained on the buzzer.

So, everything that happened in Meanwhile City was actually happening in London, but we see it through the eyes of David/Preest.

It fits like a puzzle!!

[–] Tickleberry1405 13 years ago

it all seemed relatively straight forward to me. i'm surprised there are so many threads trying to decipher what happened.

now, this might be a case of me looking for more, after reading through several over-thought posts, but i'm trying to figure out the janitor's role.

is he God, living in a city that is searching for faith? (Emelia's faith is art and expression. Milo's faith is love. Peter's faith is ignorance. David's faith is purpose.) and whilst everyone else distracted by idle beliefs, he is quietly cleaning up the mess?

or...

is he "the story teller" that Sally told Milo about? hence, when the story has its 'happy ending', he's disappeared. he is the serendipitous connection between 3 of the 4 main characters. has he had a chance encounter with each of these people and he, himself, is writing a story and filling in all the missing pieces? it all kind of fits 'too perfectly', that Milo's imaginary friend would lead him to the very restaurant that would be opposite his stalker's house.

or...

is he Franklyn ;)

[–] aGuiltySoul 13 years ago

What I don't comprehend is the need for some people to hammer down "what happened" and then to post it on this board on a 1,2, 3 format.

And if this is so straight forward to you, tell me, why do you have the "or's"? Because it's thought provocative, that's why.

"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."

[–] jeffpk 13 years ago

No, he has "ors" because ist not explicit in every detail. Detaisl that don't really matter are left for the viewer to fill in.

it IS thought provoking.. but the thought it should provoke, what it is all about, is how humans have a need to take what is a fundamentally random, harsh reality and impose stories on it to make them feel better about it.

Which ironically is what most of the posters here are doing.

[–] aGuiltySoul 12 years ago

Are you seriously arguing with me over something I posted in 2010?

If you want to convince me that a filmmaker, who, btw, is also the script writer, wants to ridicule the human need for story telling, you are out of your ever loving mind.

"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."

[–] einsteins_stein 12 years ago

Of course, if you don't want to read speculation about what really happened, then why in the hell are you here, reading speculative posts in a thread entitled "Here's what really happened" ?

Seems you've wasted your own time...

[–] jeffpk 13 years ago

IMHO

The janitor is there to get you to do exactly what you are doing... make up stories to try to explain what is a fundamentally random thing. because thats what all the characters are doing-- inventing stories to manage a harsh and random reality.

He never displays any super powers. he never does anything any other person wouldn't do.

The only thing we have about him that is ANY way unusual is that rather odd shot att the end of the mop and bucket without him. But, so what? You've never seen a mop and bucket that someone stepped away from?

The janitor is just a tease.. and a very fitting ending.

[–] aGuiltySoul 13 years ago

I see that people who disagree with your are "singing pigs." So be it.

So, a rather significant, if supporting character is a "tease?" Perhaps you need to watch this film one more time. When Milo is chasing the woman he thinks is his childhood friend all grown up, he meets the janitor in the lower level of a building. The janitor is there with a room full of senior citizens, yet when Milo is running down the stairs toward the room, he hears the laughter of children.

There are many clues that the janitor is someone who has something to say, to reveal. If nothing else, as Slynge says, he is a link between the pragmatic, recognizable world and the other...whatever you choose to think that other is.

I guess it might depend upon how "real" you think Sally is also.

"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."

[–] Slynge 13 years ago

Geez, someone thinks Sally is real? Whoa... Tough discussing anything then I guess...

Well. In my opinion all four main characters are on some level in touch with an alternative reality/fantasy world. The janitor brings them together.

[–] aGuiltySoul 13 years ago

pssst, Slynge, none of the characters of ANY film are "real." Sally is as real as any other. What the writer/director of Franklyn, Gerald McMorrow, is discussing is how our fears, desires, pain, hope, joy, perceptions, and misconceptions influence us for both good and for ill. "If you believe in something strongly enough, who's to say if it's real or not?"

"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Slynge 13 years ago

I agree with OP on the quick analysis = )

Janitor's role:
Pastor Bone, the hospital’s janitor, is revealed to be imaginary at the end of the movie. Even though this character may appear to be of secondary significance, his role in the movie is essential. As a matter of fact, he is the only character who directly interacts with all of the main characters in present day-London. Therefore, he serves as a link between what appear to be unrelated characters until the climax of the movie.

[–] Jay_Kay_71 12 years ago

Did he interact with David / Preest in contemporary London? I can't recall now...

It's certainly a puzzling film, certainly art-house...

[–] jeffpk 13 years ago

Totally, obviously correct.

But my wife has a T-shirt. It says

"Never try to tech pigs to sing... you will only frustrate yourself and annoy the pigs."

It seems to apply well to these forums.

[–] scottiedundee 12 years ago

"Never try to teach pigs to sing... you will only frustrate yourself and annoy the pigs."

This has gone straight into my top 5 favourite sayings.

Confused?.....You will be.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] spidervein 12 years ago

its interesting how the janitor talked to her about suicide and how he said "its not about who'll youre leaving behind but who you havent met yet". and then yea the role as a janitor "to clean up humanity" "fix-it"symbolism.

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Why are you all wet, baby?

[–] dj_king973 12 years ago

Thank you! I just watched this film and although I enjoyed it, some excellent scenes, I did find it confusing. I will watch it again now!

[–] morgan-659-312842 12 years ago

Just to add - it's a wonderful film.

[–] stardama69 12 years ago

Yup, I agree. Some flaws maybe (character of Peter Esser is a bit weak for ex imo). But nonetheless, refreshing, atmospherefull and thought-provoking in such a oddly unique way.. Definitely worth seeing unlike what imdb rating and many critics suggested.

[–] stephtastrophe 11 years ago

The only bit of that explanation I didn't think of was the Emilia looked like Sally because she was following, I think I remember now that she was following him but then I forgot because so much happened in between lol.

real human being and a real hero

[–] uzielis 9 years ago

Dude, thank you so much for explaining it to me! I fell asleep the first time around and after reading your post, decided to give it another shot, and I'm glad I did. Just what was the significance of the janitor, though? Many thanks again!