The Last Days of Frankie the Fly

This movie definitely got the blues. I was really pleased by the sophisticated balance of humour and tragedy, not quite common for a Hollywood Film. Except the last minutes, that's where Hollywood returns, always the game err the same - what a pity. Do yourself a favour and switch it off when the girl sits in front of the TV. Then it's an 8 out of 10.

I rented this after finding out that it was written by Dayton Callie, who plays Charlie Utter, my favorite character in David Milch's superb HBO series Deadwood. I wasn't sure what to expect, since I had never heard of the film...and after the first 10 minutes I thought I was going to hate it. It started out rather slowly and the dialog seemed a little stiff. However, I stuck with it and was glad I did! The story is really kind of sweet and well-written.

Dennis Hopper plays bullied mob flunky, Frankie, who is nicknamed "The Fly" because, as hit-man Vic (played by Dayton Callie) teases, "Flys eat sh*t!" And it appears likely that Frankie would do just that if told to do so by local wise-guy boss Sal (Madsen) -- Sal is a sadistic madman who keep his enemies' severed testicles in mason jars. Frankie seems to be almost happy with his sheepish role, until he falls for a porn actress and reformed junkie, Margaret (Darryl Hannah) and his life changes forever.

So, rent this sweet and quirky film and see for yourself what happens as Frankie seeks to change his "fly" image for the girl he loves.

OK so this one was a rather pedestrian quasi-knock-off...and maybe the characters were a touch low key. Yet, oddly I found myself watching this one for a second time. Why? It could be because I have been a Dennis Hopper fan since 'Easy Rider' and I feel like I've been growing up with him ever since. (Our long lost brother Peter Fonda, having only shown up recently,dropped out of sight and missed our formative years.) But I digress. I confess to being a fan of Michael Madsen as well...and I date that awareness back to his horrifically twisted Funky Chicken while slicing and dicing and immolating the cop to the tune "Stuck in the Middle with You" in 'Resevoir Dogs'. Nobody does "watch-out-I'm-crazy" like Michael Madsen! Darryl Hannah was competent but replaceable with any SAG journeyman but is to be commended for the choice of role. Kiefer Sutherland is Kiefer Sutherland...have you noticed ever since 'Freeway' he has a penchant for having his facial parts removed? This film is about Frankie and his contradictory little ways. Frankie the Fly is an empathetic wise guy and the film plays off against these two poles. Oddly, the message is that empathy is strength. Hopper plays him well and we are all rescued in the end. I have always liked movies about the seamier side of human social discourse...the side with pool rooms, gambling addictions, hookers,and guns without permits. ( Is Dennis Hopper the King of the Seamier Side or what? I envision him as a Jedi Knight with a pool cue and a Camel in transition to the Dark Side.) I am drawn to these flirtations with the street life like a moth to flame. If you are to, this movie could be fun for you too.

@Lary9

Contrary to what others have posted I quite liked this film. I felt there were some cute twists, turns and surprise moments that made me keep watching. Dennis Hopper had a great part but I felt Kiefer Sutherland's role didn't grow at all. I thought the surprise ending worked well. I rate it much higher that the current films (Sep00) I am seeing at the moment.

There are a lot of good things, and some bad things about this film. Let's look at the good things first: Dennis Hopper can do anything and was a great actor. He carries this off as well as anyone else cast in this role could have. Hannah is very good and convincing as a hooker; she seemed to really enjoy her role, which is important for an actor to do. Madsen is very good as well, as is the supporting cast. The story of a lifetime loser turning into a sharpie at the end really stretches real street life credibility, but then again, so did Tarrentino, and if he could do it, why not a legitimate entertainer like Hopper? I knew a guy just like this in Union City who was a bookie. He is deceased now, but he let lots of guys off the hook because he was a bit of a softie. Frankie is a guy like that. I enjoyed the film, and I am kind of picky about gangster flicks. They have to be different to keep my interest (like The Departed, and Goodfellas). This film is not as good as those, but it is better than most of the crap passing for street films these days.