Frances
A fiercely independent actress is crushed between Hollywood opportunism, maternal control, and the brutal machinery of psychiatric authority.
Overview
A powerful exploration of a woman's struggle against societal expectations and personal demons.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- harrowing
- melancholic
- defiant
- serious movie night
- historical drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a well-crafted but overlong and emotionally cold biopic elevated by Jessica Lange's towering, deeply humane performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Frances's confinement in a psychiatric hospital and exposure to abusive treatment dominate the film's emotional trajectory.
Frances repeatedly resists studio executives, social expectations, and her mother's attempts to control her.
Frances's acting success and Hollywood contract clash with her disgust toward the industry's phoniness and pressure to conform.
Lillian Farmer supports Frances's institutionalization and increasingly seeks control over her daughter's life.
Films like Frances, and why
The Rose
tragic biographical drama centered on a fiercely independent woman confronting institutional and familial control
Gia
period biopic about a gifted, volatile woman whose public success intensifies private psychological suffering
Sylvia
emotionally severe portrait of an outspoken woman resisting social expectations and oppressive institutions
Nina
performance-led drama about a female artist battling exploitation, public image, and personal collapse
Movie Details
- Director
- Graeme Clifford
- Release Date
- 1982-12-03
- Runtime
- 140 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (128)
Cast
- Jessica Lange
- Sam Shepard
- Kim Stanley
- Bart Burns
- Christopher Pennock
- James Karen
- Gerald S. O'Loughlin
- Sarah Cunningham
- Allan Rich
- Woodrow Parfrey
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Frances about?
- A fiercely independent actress is crushed between Hollywood opportunism, maternal control, and the brutal machinery of psychiatric authority.
- What is Frances like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Frances as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Frances violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Frances as mild.
- What did critics think of Frances?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a well-crafted but overlong and emotionally cold biopic elevated by Jessica Lange's towering, deeply humane performance.
- Which films are like Frances?
- Films with a similar feel include The Rose, Gia, Sylvia, and Nina.
- How long is Frances?
- Frances runs 140 minutes.
- Where can I watch Frances?
- In United States, Frances is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
