Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2018) User Reviews

Funny, moving, upsetting and brilliant

[kbradley26 · 7/10 · 3 March 2019]

Saw this at the Glasgow Film Festival. Im a 90s music and comedy fan from the north west of england and was a Frank Sidebottom fan. But the man behind him was so much more interesting and that is the true achievement of this film . A complex character who was a true creative whose talents were way beyond what he became famous for. Was so interesting to hear his wife and family talk... lovely people who inspired him

go see even if you are not a frank sidebottom fan.

Labour Of Love

[Devo-McDuff · 9/10 · 4 May 2019]

I was one of the 'backers' (bit of a mogul you see) of this 7 years or so ago and have been eagerly awaiting the final flick ever since. There have been regular email updates from the director Steve in that time and the passion and effort that has gone in to it is staggering. Now having seen it myself I found it to be interesting, funny and touching and I'm even more grateful that I had the pleasure of meeting Frank (not Chris unfortunately) on the Magical Timperley Tour a decade ago, with my since passed old man. It's not bobbins at all and I'd recommend it completely to fans and non fans alike.

A beautiful tribute that Chris and Frank would've been proud of

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 8/10 · 3 April 2019]

Late 80s. My mates Baz and Bert kept going on about "I've got a papier-mâché head". I didn't know what they were on about. I was a normal teenager - not yet exposed to the wonderful world of the non-mainstream. So I knew more about FS through association rather than anything else. My interest grew further when, on my own in Budapest and craving any English language film, I went to an indie cinema and watched the wonderfully emotional film 'Frank' starring Michael Fassbender as a semi-fictional character loosely based on Chris Sievey's alter-ego FS. 'Frank' was written by Jon Ronson, who was in one of Chris' early bands, and also appeared, as himself, in this documentary. I'd say, if you get the chance, watch 'Being Frank: The Chris Sievy Story' and then 'Frank' the fictional tribute, as a wonderfully weird, poignant and, ultimately beautiful double bill portrayal of this wonderful anti-establishment artist. Both Chris and Frank would approve.

PS - I watched this film at the Brixton Curzon and I was the only person in the theatre. Upstairs, there was a stand up comedy night - and I heard no laughing. Probably hardly anyone there either. If this film gives us any message, it's don't worry about the audiences - just stay true to yourself.

Fanastic ! it really is .. not Bobbins in slightest

[wiltaim · 9/10 · 13 April 2019]

A heartfelt document about the comic genius that created an icon that became his Frankenstein's monster. This is an incredible film given the source material of hundreds of old cassette tapes and video recording all of which destined for the skip. This is clearly a labour of love made by fans and maybe just for fans, the tragedy id Chris Sievey never got the recognition for the awesome work whether be musically and artistically.

I can't recommend this enough, especially want to about more about the man behind the mask or even if you never heard of Frank

Wonderful Eccentricity!

[garethcrook · 7/10 · 6 July 2019]

What a treasure trove of wonderful eccentricity. It's not so much a documentary as an archive of bizarre genius ...and what an archive it is! To say that Chris Sievey was an interesting character is a monumental understatement. A polymath artist, the epitome of DIY, the positive side of anarchy. He was an odd mixture of striving for the next big thing, but never hitting the big time, to the point that that became the point. Chris was always on the move, pushing, doing weirder and weirder things, that arguably redefined what it means to be underground. But then came Frank. It's easy to forget just how massive Frank Sidebottom became and it's difficult to ascertain just what that meant for Chris. He was a rule breaker with unlimited optimism, but his story was rather sad as he became trapped by the world he created. This though is a celebration, not of Frank, but of the man inside.

Wonderful document of a creative genius.

[rfaddison · 10/10 · 9 March 2019]

Wonderful outsider documentary based on the life of Chris Sievey, the mastermind behind Frank Sidebottom.

The clips of Frank had me in tears of laughter but it's not all laughter and light. A darker side of the creator and his relationship with his creation is revealed throughout.

This documentary belongs up there with the likes of "The Devil And Daniel Johnston". A fascinating insight into the mind of a genius / madman

10 stars.

Properly Good

[LouieInLove · 9/10 · 25 May 2019]

People who aren't from Manchester & surrounding areas my not realise how big Frank Sidebottom was (especially during the late 80s). His version of: We Will Rock You (where little Frank takes it away) is a musical masterpiece, that, put the original to shame - a bit like putting a lovely bit of artex on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. A poor artex job is just a shambles, but, when it's done properly it's something to behold.

Anyway, this documentary is dead good.

Very interesting

[frankie101 · 9/10 · 24 August 2020]

Frank and the man behind the mask make for a very interesting documentary!

Recommended by HMV staff, this was a fun watch. Nice DVD extras too :)

Maybe it's me

[jake_fantom · 4/10 · 3 June 2019]

I literally had to force myself to watch this film through to the end. The subject of the documentary, Chris Sievey, appears to me to be a modestly talented but wholly undisciplined artist, whose clearest identifying feature is that he is a total attention junkie. He composes and plays some mildly clever but ultimately worthless music, creates cute little cartoons of this and that, and somewhere along the line, invented a character with a papier maché head that he appears as in any venue that will have him. Mostly his audience seems to be a bunch of drunks who find him utterly charming and amusing. However, he is not my cup of tea, and his artistry seems more motivated by wanting the adulation of everyone he comes into contact with than anything else. At one hour and 45 minutes, this film was about an hour and a half too long for me. But for those who find Sievey's brand of "humor" amusing, I'm sure it is not nearly long enough. The rather sordid details of his personal life more or less confirm his narcissism and borderline sociopathy. Yet, ultimately what emerges is a portrait of a life, warts and all, that some may find rewarding. One last word of caution: the vast bulk of this film is old grainy, wavy-lined VHS home video footage of Sievey in his heyday. That, plus the cheesiness of his performances, will likely be a dealbreaker for many.

Frank did Chris proud but oh so late

[paulmorrison2003 · 8/10 · 3 May 2021]

Once you start watching the story of Chris Sievey you suddenly become so engrossed with his tale of life.... and the life of Frank Sidebottom who took over and became a major cult for many in the 90's... So sad in many ways but enjoy the funny parts that Chris & Frank gave us.....

Amazing Documentary

[millzilla · 10/10 · 16 July 2021]

A look into the life and times of Chris Sievy aka Frank Sidebottom, a touching and incredibly made documentary. Must've seen it 20 times since I first watched it.

Life and Times of a True Original

[cglamb-1 · 9/10 · 16 May 2023]

As an American, I'd never heard of either Chris or Frank, but this doc made me care about him and his work. It's always great to see stories about dedicated (even obsessive) artists who create because they have to, regardless of who they can get to pay attention. It's a hard but necessary reminder that talent, confidence, originality, and hard work do not inevitably lead to fame and fortune-in fact, they rarely do. I like seeing how artists and their loved ones deal with that. The obvious love his family members, band mates, and friends express for him is the ultimate and very touching testament to Chris Sievey's life. This doc is a lovingly-edited compilation of Sievey's life and work as remembered by the very nice and appealing people who knew him.

Anyone who enjoyed Pee Wee's Playhouse, The Devil and Daniel Johnston, and How to Draw a Bunny: A Ray Johnson Portrait will enjoy this movie.