Frankie and Johnnie: A Song Turned Into A Rather Heavy Affair

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, you probably only want to watch this if you have a soft spot for really old, stage-y melodramas or if you just happen to love the original folk ballad. If you hate movies where people stare intensely into the middle distance and talk like they are auditioning for a play, you should stay far away. It is slow, it is theatrical, and it is definitely not for everyone.

I found myself wondering why they decided to stretch a song into a full-length feature. Sometimes the pacing hits a wall, and you just want the characters to get on with it. But then, Helen Morgan comes on screen, and you stop caring about the clock for a minute.

Oddly specific observations

There is a moment near the middle where the lighting shifts in a way that feels almost accidental, like a lamp got bumped off-screen. It actually works, in a weird way, making the whole scene feel more intimate and slightly desperate.

The dialogue is thick. I mean really thick. It feels like every line has to be a heavy pronouncement on the nature of love or betrayal. Sometimes you just want them to say, "Hey, pass the salt," but that just doesn't happen in this world.

Comparing notes

It is fascinating to look at this and then think about something lighter like Silks and Saddles. One is a total tragedy about a man doing someone wrong, and the other is just... horses. The range of stuff I watch is a bit wild, I know. But there is something comforting about these old, dusty stories where the stakes feel so big, even if they are just happening in a single room.

• The costumes are surprisingly detailed, even if the sets look a bit like they might tip over if you lean on them.
• The music cues are very, very pushy. You know exactly when you are supposed to feel sad.
• I’m still not sure if the ending is brilliant or just a bit rushed.

There is a scene that lasts for what feels like three hours where Frankie is just waiting for Johnnie to show up. It is agonizing. It makes you feel that same nervous energy you get when you’re waiting for a text back that isn't coming. Maybe that was the point? Or maybe they just ran out of film budget for the day. 🤷‍♂️

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even really a 'good' movie by modern standards. But it’s got grit. You can tell they were trying to capture that specific feeling of a broken heart, and even if they miss the mark a few times, it’s still more interesting than most of the polished, boring stuff that comes out today.