However, alongside his mother’s, Alan’s grief, whilst highlighted on several occasions, is somewhat sidelined. O’Gairbhi gives the best (human) performance of the film, acting as a vessel for audience members who may share his cynicism over the so-called reincarnation.

Whilst it’s great to highlight some of Ireland’s sporting culture, the drama involved is all a little contrived.Įlsewhere, and where the film holds its greatest potential, Alan remains sceptical about his mother’s insistence that this stray dog is in fact her husband, and his father. Ironically, what follows then is a new dog teaching old tricks. As Róise’s husband was a celebrated hurling player, she believes Frank has retained his sporting skills in his new shaggy-haired form. In one subplot, Frank helps a local boy gain the confidence to join his school’s hurling team. It’s pretty simple stuff and there’s an inherent sweetness to it all, however there’s not much else going on. However, beyond the endless charm of such a good boy, is there anything more to this film? © MacallaĪs you can probably imagine the story sees Frank help Róise to process her grief and gradually re-enter the world she was once a part of. It’s impossible not to enjoy the scenes featuring this movie star mutt, better known off screen as Barley, who is obviously very well trained as is demonstrated throughout the film. Frank is described here as a cross-breed between a lurcher and a terrier and he’s objectively gorgeous. Audiences love to see their four legged friends on the big screen and dog lovers will be initially delighted with Róise & Frank for that very reason. After persistently following her around for a few days, Róise becomes convinced that this dog is actually her late husband Frank, reincarnated.Īs the saying goes: a dog is a man’s best friend, and this has been consistently reflected in cinema since some of the earliest films. This is until one morning a stray dog appears at Róise’s home. Despite the best efforts of her son Alan (Cillian O’Gairbhi) and the other residents of the small Irish village she lives in, Róise isn’t interested in letting anyone back into her life.

Róise (Bríd Ní Neachtain) is a grief-stricken widow, stuck in a reclusive and repetitive cycle of existence since the death of her husband. Irish language doggy drama, Róise & Frank will be hoping for a round of a-paws, but are writer/director team Rachael Moriarty and Peter Murphy just barking up the wrong tree?

The last dragon movie poster