Saint Frances (2019) User Reviews

A Movie About Kindness

[Neon_Gold · 7/10 · 31 December 2020]

When I first started watching this movie I thought it was kind of directionless and that it had all these disparate parts that didn't really click but then at some point it all did for me. All of a sudden I just really appreciated this movie.

It is a slice of this woman's life and her relationships with others in it. There isn't a huge through line it is just a story about a woman.

I think it masterfully blends different themes together and I think it's biggest merit is showing how clashing ideals can blend with each other and people should just accept and get along with others.

It is a really well done movie and I think that more people should watch it.

The Rare Female Driven Movie

[evanston_dad · 7/10 · 2 September 2020]

Watching a movie like "Saint Frances" reminds a viewer how rarely we're treated to a truly female-driven movie. Oh sure, there are plenty of movies starring women, a few even (gasp!) directed by them, and lots that purport to be about women's "issues," whatever that means. But it's very rare to have a movie created by women, starring women, and about topics that mostly affect only women and in which the presence or lack thereof of male characters is largely irrelevant to the central issue.

"Saint Frances" isn't a great movie, but it's a very good one and feels in its own unambitious way like something fresh among a sea of mediocre movies. Writer and star Kelly O'Sullivan creates a character who some viewers are sure to dislike and judge, but it's also a character that feels authentic and complex and real and like, you know, the way actual real people are instead of the way they're depicted in lots of other carefully scripted films. The movie has a preoccupation with the biology of women in general and with menstrual blood in particular, and it's to the film's credit that it treats with matter-of-fact seriousness things (like periods, breast feeding, and other things that only women experience) that are used as the butts of jokes in our popular culture or otherwise inexplicably treated with outright disgust. It commits that sin common to feel-good indie movies of wanting to wrap up everything a bit too neatly with a shiny bow, but the sin isn't so egregious in this movie as to ruin the overall experience of watching it.

I also got a kick out of the fact that the movie is set in and was filmed, at least partially, in Evanston, Illinois, which is where I live. It was really fun recognizing locations and dissecting how accurately the film captured life in such a liberal progressive community.

Grade: A-

Human beings can be lovely

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 8/10 · 31 December 2020]

My favourite film genre is 'social realism'. I have a bit of an (albeit fair) reputation for only liking bleak human dramas. But human dramas don't have to be bleak, and people don't have to be nasty to make a good film. And Saint Frances is a beautiful film. Not a hint of saccharine, but a lovely study of how, despite their not inconsiderable troubles, people can be, and ultimately are, nice. Done well like this, heart warming dramas are every bit as emotionally compelling as their oft bleak counterparts. A lovely film for New Years Eve....

From a guys perspective....

[tocanepauli · 7/10 · 29 March 2020]

I found this film enjoyable - a real slice of life type of film and very well fimed in a very casual but real way. Bridget was very real and likeable (although the wife didn't like her!). Real world issues treated in s real world way. Great Sunday afternoon film...

Smashes the Proverbials Out of the Park...

[Xstal · 9/10 · 12 July 2020]

Tackling themes that specifically affect women this funny, sincere and brave film leaves you under no illusion of the challenges faced by some; starring a standout Oscar worthy Kelly O' Sullivan who happened to write it as well.

Watch the arrival of up-and-coming talent Kelly O'Sullivan

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 15 March 2020]

"Saint Frances" brings the story of Bridget. As the movie opens, Bridget, a 34 yr. old waitress, is at a party and gets to know a 26 yr.old guy who also works as a server. They hit it off and next we know, they are living together. Bridget desperately wants to do something with her life, and she applies for a full-time nanny position to take care of a 6 yr. old girl named Frances (but everyone calls her Franny). Franny is more than a handful. Then one day, Bridget discovers that she is pregnant, and wonders what to do... At this point we are 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the feature length debut of director Alex Thompson, in a movie written by and starring Kelly O'Sullivan, also making her feature length debut (as a writer). This team aims to bring us a comedy with a lot of deep and deeply personal issues (and I mean a whole lot more than nannying a 6 yr. old). Because the movie is so plot-heavy, I really don't want to go into further details as to these deep and deeply personal issues, although I do wonder whether O'Sullivan has lived through some of these issues herself. "I'm not an impressive person", laments Bridget at one point (after another screw-up on her part). This surely is not a reflection of O'Sullivan, who is quite impressive in what amounts to a coming-out party. I'm quite certain that Hollywood has taken notice and that we have not seen the last of her, not by a long shot. that said, the movie is not without flaws. There were a couple of narratives that were built up and then... went nowhere (literally disappeared from the film). Kudos to Quinn Tsan, who composed the soundtrack with a bunch of delightful indie tunes.

"Saint Frances" premiered at last year's SXSW festival to immediately acclaim, and is currently rated 98% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The film finally was released in theaters in late February. It opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Saturday early evening screening where I saw this at was attended so-so (7 people but keep in mind that the coronavirus was declared a national emergency this weekend). If you are in the mood for a very indie (and frank) movie about personal relationship issues, or simply want to discover the up-and-coming talent that is Kelly O'Sullivan, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater (if you can), on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

Delightful

[truemythmedia · 9/10 · 7 August 2019]

"Frances" deals with a lot of hot issues, like abortion, acceptance no matter gender, orientation,and past mistakes and it tackles them all with immense heart, exploring other personal themes, such as depression and life's crisis, all with such a human touch that it's hard not to connect to these characters. Kelly O Sullivan is so natural in this role that it's almost feels like a biography. Her writing is just as impressive as her acting, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for her in the world of cinema, because I think she's gonna turn some heads. The moms are both immensely talented as well as the daughter. At the end of this movie I couldn't help but smile and nod along with the music, relishing the time I got to spend with these characters. My only real quip is that it does longer a bit towards the end, and there is one scene that is a bit too on the nose, but the rest of the film is just too good and done with too good of intentions to really knock it too much. Overall Saint Frances is a stunningly delightful film, one that I recommend to anyone and everyone no matter personal beliefs. You may come out changed, you may come out even stronger in your beliefs, you may come out not changed at, all which is fine. One thing is for sure, you'll have a great time with these characters. There's plenty of laughs, tears and morals, and by the end you'll be sure to be rooting for Bridgette and her future.

Too in your face

[Gordon-11 · 12 May 2020]

It could have been a heartwarming story about getting through tough personal issues through bonding. However, the gender and sexual orientation messages are just very in your face, that puts me off a little. I would be absolutely petrified to hear in real life some of the lines said by Frances.

Saint Vincent 2

[ks-60500 · 6/10 · 31 January 2021]

Both are good indeed and similar. It's quite comfy when watching this for an incomplete woman life been light up cuz her nanny role in a lesbian family. Win my vote for the story background.

Really good

[kellymccartney-64735 · 9/10 · 5 April 2020]

Was shocked to see the ratings for this were so low and then realized that the anti-abortion brigade had been sent out to pepper any public review system with 1 stars.

Thoughtful and well done. Yes contains lesbian moms and an abortion but those felt secondary to the story of feeling aimless at 34. There are so many movies where we are asked to take men's emotions and lives and bodily functions as worthy of film and I didn't know that I was missing the same for women until I saw this film.

Laughed and cried. Two thumbs up, well worth the time.

depression, abortion, fun

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 29 May 2021]

34 year old Bridget (Kelly O'Sullivan) lives an aimless life with a meaningless waitressing job. She has a non-boyfriend. She picks up a nanny job working for a lesbian couple taking care of rambunctious girl Frances.

I have never seen abortion done in a light comedic way. Writer Kelly O'Sullivan also stars and she intends to take some social issues into unlikely comedy territories. Sometimes it actually gets funny although the abortion is a tough hill to climb. Despite the tough subject matters, its heart is the standard connection between an unlikely nanny and a bratty kid and it's fun. O'Sullivan could be an interesting performer to watch out for and as a writer, she's willing to color outside the lines.

Only an indie film could achieve this

[ckaroun-201-447097 · 9/10 · 24 June 2020]

Trust the rotten tomatoes score. This is a gem that has won countless festival awards and for good reason. It isn't action packed but it is real in a way few films are. The characters are so good that my wife who hates talking about movies was doing a deep dive into the main character and what she represents and how she was portrayed. Most of all this film has a lot of soul and it doesn't shy away from any of the taboos that so many big budget films avoid. Despite this it's a very healing movie, one that makes you question why our culture considers these things taboos at all. I think some of the press that it is getting has been that it is a political film but I dont think it is. And even though I have strong political views that some might prematurely conclude that the film bolsters I think the movie does the harder work of building a world that you never want to leave and letting the viewer interpret what it all means. Its the kind of film that seems to me to have layers, layers based off real experience and since it was one of my favorites in awhile I am excited to watch it again soon ( something I almost never do.) My wife gives it 8 stars out of ten. I give it 10

Bothersome biology and bodily fluids

[aethomson · 7/10 · 9 June 2021]

Blessed art thou, O Lord, that I was not born a woman. Being a woman can be so complicated. But if you do have to be a woman, the best age to be is six years old. And another suggestion: it would help if you could be as cute as Shirley Temple. This being the twenty-first century, you don't have to be as pale or as blond as Shirley Temple. But as for cuteness... blessed are the cute, for they shall inherit the earth. The rest of us will have to go to college. And if we drop out of college without a diploma, we'll be picking and packing for an online retailer until we reach 65, in a futile attempt to pay off our student loans. Introducing Ramona Edith Williams, aka Frances at age six. Wow.

There are also some adults in this movie. Bridget (Kelly O'Sullivan) aspired to be a writer. At age 34 still aspiring? But one thing we never see her do: writing. So here's the word. Writers write. You think someone said one day: "I might try being a writer... The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places." Nope, you only get to squeeze out a sentence like that after you've hammered away on your Corona portable for hundreds of hours. And after you've thrown several early drafts into the bin. Movies featuring would-be authors who wait at tables and can't get started on that novel/play/poetry - enough already. And you won't become a writer if you spend your days agonising over how woke you are.

Grown-up girls meet grown-up boys. That does not need to be magic. Plain old textbook biology can do the heavy lifting. But a household where two lesbian women are bringing up their children - that will need to be held together with love, a cobweb made of strong silk. Little Frances will be smarter than the average kid, because she has grown up in a home where no-one has to strive to be "normal" ie conventional. So there it is. The movie dashes about, frantically ticking off the issues. Breast-feeding in a public park, shocking! But when the script allows the actors an opportunity to get on with being human, "Saint Frances" can be rather lovely. And by the way, when you get to seven, you gotta start keeping your room tidy. Magic doesn't last forever.

Not My Demographic

[larrys3 · 5/10 · 19 June 2020]

Although this film was definitely not made for my demographic, I'll write some observations.

I felt the movie had its moments, and Kelly O'Sullivan, who wrote the screenplay and stars in the film, clearly has talent. However, the numerous graphic scenes of menstrual blood and post-abortion results seemed done more for shock value than anything else. Also, does feminism have to mean men are harshly shut down because they want to express their feelings? Or should a man in the park who has just saved the child you are responsible for be barked at, ignored, and allowed to slip away without a thank you?

Overall, just wish the warm and touching aspects of the final 20 minutes of the film had been incorporated more into its first 1 hour and 20 minutes.

This movie reminded me of Jenny Slate's 2014 film "Obvious Child", which as I recall I didn't like very much for very similar reasons.

Pretty good film

[shashrvacai · 6/10 · 27 March 2021]

Interesting and unique film, nothing remarkable nor annoying.. a good family time movie.

Lovely. But powerful with it.

[markgorman · 8/10 · 4 January 2021]

A great way to kick of 2021 was to watch one of Mark Kermode's top 10 of 2020 on Netflix.

This lovely American Indie movie, Saint Frances, written by and starring Kelly O'Sullivan. Nope, me neither.

It's the story of a 30 something 'girl' who's pretty much failed in life so far, who simultaneously gets a new boyfriend who gets her pregnant but is happy with her undertaking a quick abortion (and go halfers on the fee), and lands a summer job as a nanny for a six year old kid who has mixed race lesbian parents.

The kid's a brat and is running through nannies.

So you know how this all gonna pan out right?

Well, not really. What we embark on is a fairly, but not overly, emotional study in female empowerment (and actually entitlement because one of the moms is a pretty high achieving ball buster), loneliness, self-worth and social value.

The one guy in the movie isn't cast asunder as unimportant but he plays a side role. He's a good guy actually.

The four-way Mom, mom, nanny, kid (and a new baby which makes suppressed Mom, depressed Mom) dynamic is complicated and rarely sees the main protagonist played by O'Sullivan in a position of strength. Meanwhile her abortion has some fairly gross out complications although none that derail the narrative.

It's actually a bit of a comedy but it's a lot more than that. It's certainly bittersweet, but sweet enough.

Hugely thought provoking with several powerful central performances, a strong exploration of issues that face women today (one critic said it was too woke for its own good but I disagree) and a few really good laughs along the way.

What's not to love?

A wonderfully told story

[barryclifton · 10/10 · 10 August 2020]

This film was masterfully written, performed, directed, and filmed. The varied subjects are complex, genuine, joyful, painful, and often ignored in cinema. While, as a man, I can never have the empathy that comes with experience, the glimpse this movie gives into so many areas has deepened my understanding, To make a joyful film while tackling such tough subjects as postpartum depression, misogynism, same sex marriage, abortion, and the oft repeated myth that a women over 30 with no husband or child is a failure, is truly a remarkable achievement. My favorite line; "I don't even know why I'm crying. I'm an agnostic feminist."

Fantastic!

[yespat · 10/10 · 19 January 2023]

I think the reason some folks did not like this was perhaps because the title might have led them to think the movie was going to be something that it was not, namely a traditionally religious one. I could see how a right wing pov would find this movie hard to take. That said, I was shocked by just how excellent it was, with few exceptions. I was sorry when it ended.

All of the actors were new to me and they all did a great job, especially the lead actress and little girl. The story was beautifully and truthfully told. Typically i don't watch films with lesbian themes so I would encourage people who do that also to take a chance on this one. This is an exceptionally good film. Highly recommend.

Honestly I wish I had not seen this movie

[dye_terry · 2/10 · 14 February 2021]

This film should be called "Bloody Mary" not St Frances. The writer is obssessed with the protagonists period and repeatedly and deliberately creates scenes in the movie simply to highlight the event. The number of times we saw blood is truely shocking.

I settled down to watch a movie with my wife for Valentine's day, complete with a romantic cheese board (almost put me off), flowers and the atmosphere set for a good evening. All my efforts were ruined by the cringe worthy and uncomfortable atmosphere this movie created.

God dam it this is a 2 or 3 out of 10 movie. Avoid for a better, richer experience of life.

a drama you wont forget that easy

[ops-52535 · 9/10 · 31 March 2020]

If you like a drama film delving over the female physiology, womens psychy, womens sexuality (remember darwins selection of the fittest theory), womens rights, mating preferals, menstruation and abortion, the this film is your oyster, and mirrors the american culture and hibition in a grandieuse way

its a low budget drama, a socalled indie, with a flawless cast at all levels, a great score that will sooth the spirits, and a never stopping escapadial story about the 34 years old late bloomer, fast coming and mind blowing girl, who nannies anyone,at any age and any gender. its a well handcrafted movie technically, i couldnt find any flaws to it.

this film made my grumpy old wife laugh a lot, and my grumpiness had to shed away for the chars and spirits from the brilliant acting by the main cast. but i think the topnotch is that the film brings and delves over some dangerous, unheard of and not spoken about topis in the american society, so its a groundbreaker if you ask me. so if you wanna know what menstruation is ,then have a look, its a highly recommended take to chew on.

Girl (not) talking

[kevin c · 8/10 · 13 February 2021]

Quiet, little movie that's quietly subversive. This is a comedy, written by and starring Kelly O'Sullivan, providing an unvarnished perspective on feminity, having a child and/ or choosing not to have a baby.

The three female protagonists each, is a prisoner to their own secrets. All three women are muted by shame. The only real conflict here is their inability to talk to each other. And O'Sullivan's script much like her performance, is sweet without ever going sickly. Great stuff.

Brilliant film!

[adamabraham-54364 · 10/10 · 13 November 2020]

Unexpectedly brilliant. What a revelation. Brilliantly acted and so understated. Really loved it.

Beautiful movie-will be the indie hit of 2020!

[rachelandres · 10/10 · 17 January 2020]

Beautifully written and acted, Saint Frances is one of those movies you want to see again and again. It is touching, serious, hilarious and poignant all rolled up! I've been telling everyone to see it.

Feels like it was written per a checklist

[storyteller-69195 · 5/10 · 17 May 2020]

Or it was an entry in the "Woker Than Thou" festival.

They did check all the boxes:

Abortion? Check.

Multi-racial Lesbian couple with adorable child? Check.

Hateful rich white people who are pro-life? Check.

Guuurl Power (menstruation is groovy, gooey, goodness!)? Check.

Men are either sexual predators/users or soft and aimless boys who don't amount to anything? Check

I'm exaggerating a little bit, but not much.

Which is too bad. The lead actress/screenwriter had an appealing nature, and the actors did a pretty good job, but for the love of creativity, can we have a mean LBGXYZ character once in a while? Not every unpleasant person in the world is a melanin deficient breeder. Sheesh.

A masterpiece which breezes through important issues.

[jainanvesh · 10/10 · 21 September 2020]

Everything about this film is great. The acting was amazing. Every single actor really got the tone of the movie which is real and messy and I was engaged by their performance. The screenplay was just bang on relatable. It has some scenes when I thought that it's taken exactly shot by shot from my life (yeah it's that level of relatable) and the most difficult of scenes are aided through jokes which is a sign of greatness because it is one of the reasons I think films are important, they can take you out of your anxiety over things by turning them into jokes. Sullivan gave a tone perfect performance and she also wrote the screenplay. Genius!