Saint Frances

Name: Saint Frances
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: February 28, 2020
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 83
Cast: Braden Crothers, Charin Alvarez, Francis Guinan, H.B. Ward, Jim True-Frost

2020

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Oscilloscope Laboratories | Release Date: February 28, 2020 | Not Rated

Starring: Braden Crothers, Charin Alvarez, Francis Guinan, H.B. Ward, Jim True-Frost, Kelly O'Sullivan, Laura T. Fisher, Lily Mojekwu, Marybeth Fisher, Max Lipchitz, Meighan Gerachis, Ramona Edith-Williams, Rebekah Ward, Vanesa Lavado, William Drain

Summary: Flailing thirty-four-year-old Bridget (Kelly O'Sullivan) finally catches a break when she meets a nice guy and lands a much-needed job nannying six-year-old Frances (played by a scene-stealing Ramona Edith-Williams). But an unwanted pregnancy introduces an unexpected complication. To make matters worse, she clashes with the obstinateFlailing thirty-four-year-old Bridget (Kelly O'Sullivan) finally catches a break when she meets a nice guy and lands a much-needed job nannying six-year-old Frances (played by a scene-stealing Ramona Edith-Williams). But an unwanted pregnancy introduces an unexpected complication. To make matters worse, she clashes with the obstinate Frances and struggles to navigate a growing tension between Frances' moms. Amidst her tempestuous personal relationships, a reluctant friendship with Frances emerges, and Bridget contends with the inevitable joys and shit-shows of becoming a part of someone else's family.… Expand

Director: Alex Thompson

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 106 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Mark Kermode

Jul 13, 2020

Saint Frances expands the representation of women’s lives on screen in a way that is so casual you hardly notice it’s happening. Read full review

100

Peter Debruge

Mar 2, 2020

Turns out there are a lot of things that have gone unsaid in movies until now, and Saint Frances goes there in a way that’s not only enlightening, but entertaining as well. This exceptionally frank, refreshingly nonjudgmental indie was written by and stars Kelly O’Sullivan, a “girl next door” type whose no-nonsense approach to issues facing both her gender and her generation leaves ample room for laughter — à la Amy Schumer’s “Trainwreck.” Read full review

Katie Walsh

Mar 5, 2020

Anchored by delicately moving performances from O’Sullivan and the amazing Williams, Saint Frances is a quietly riveting film that slowly but surely draws you in. Read full review

Fionnuala Halligan

Jul 1, 2020

It may not know where to end, and it makes a surprising late-in-the-game play for sentimentality where it has previously been bracingly crisp about hot topics including abortion and post-natal depression, but it’s mostly a wry plea for tolerance when the world is most disposed to hear it. Read full review

Richard Whittaker

Mar 11, 2020

There’s something beautifully refreshing about the casual way that it takes on so many everyday issues that we just never talk about. Read full review

The Film Stage Christopher Schobert

Feb 25, 2020

Saint Frances is a character-driven effort that tackles big themes in a wonderfully down-to-earth manner. That’s a tricky balancing act, but Thompson and O’Sullivan pull it off. Read full review

Pat Brown

Feb 23, 2020

It has almost enough genuine charm and heart to compensate for the moments that feel forced. Read full review

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User Reviews

j1train

May 13, 2020

Anti-choice reviews are tanking the user score. This is a lovely film with strong performances at its centre (including little Ramona Edith Williams). It's a great feature debut for writer-actress Kelly O'Sullivan and a fascinating look at parenting and childcare.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Sammyboo21

Jul 1, 2020

One of the best films of 2020 and a standout film when it comes to “indie darlings”.
It has a nomination worthy performance and script
and is a beautiful and funny and sad slice of real life. Please check this movie out. It’s worth the rental.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

ranjan04rajeev

Aug 5, 2020

This movie is good. the movie is character oriented and acting is very good. i loved it. hollywood very rarely make such movies. i loved it and was quite enjoyable.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DawdlingPoet

Aug 19, 2022

I enjoyed this film in terms of seeing how Bridget interacted and befriended the young Frances. It's fair to say both people learn something and there are some genuinely amusing moments - it is categorised as a comedy film, though I wouldn't by any means say its constantly laugh out loudI enjoyed this film in terms of seeing how Bridget interacted and befriended the young Frances. It's fair to say both people learn something and there are some genuinely amusing moments - it is categorised as a comedy film, though I wouldn't by any means say its constantly laugh out loud funny, it has some nice moments, some moments that made me smirk or smile, sure...its quite a nice film with some good themes and the like, though not a typical slapstick comedy type film. There are some genuinely poignant moments present, I felt. I liked the tone the film ends on and what it represents, in a way. It's a somewhat insightful and I'd say its got an uplifting element to it, yes, so yeah, its a good film I'd say. Not earth-shattering or anything but certainly not a bad film, its a good watch and a film I'd recommend, yes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Jan 12, 2021

While the plot wanders around a lot in a cutesy tone that didn't seem entirely right to me, the film feels organic enough to avoid being seen as manipulative or sentimental.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Apr 23, 2021

While this offering deserves praise for its courageous willingness to tackle difficult, taboo topics, it fails on virtually every other count. This story of a nanny who dislikes children (an implausible notion in itself) who takes a job watching the kids of a lesbian couple experiencingWhile this offering deserves praise for its courageous willingness to tackle difficult, taboo topics, it fails on virtually every other count. This story of a nanny who dislikes children (an implausible notion in itself) who takes a job watching the kids of a lesbian couple experiencing marital difficulties draws from a narrative that's all over the map, with story threads that go unresolved or under-explored. Writer Kelly O'Sullivan's inconsistent, often-wildly contradictory character development frequently leaves viewers scratching their heads, a problem compounded by the fact that many of the characters (especially the protagonist) are myopic, irresponsible, self-serving individuals. It's understandable that finding one's way in life often involves changes of mind and heart, but it's so pervasive here that it verges on rampant, indecisive cluelessness, coupled with outright selfish, mean attitudes toward others, behaviors that no one should have to be subjected to (even if they routinely and inexplicably turn on a dime every five minutes). Other than its frankness in dealing with issues seldom addressed (in rather graphic and sometimes gratuitous detail, I might add), I'm truly at a loss to understand what so many critics see in this debut feature from director Alex Thompson.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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