IMDB reviews have become increasingly polarised. A show is either amazing or dreadful. 10 stars or one. There doesn't seem to be any place for the opinion that a show is "alright".
"Frank of Ireland" is such a show. It's just "alright".
It's pitched as a strong comedy. It's not. It's certainly amusing, and pleasant to watch. But overall it is gentle, eccentric and sentimental, with only a handful of big laughs, most of which come from puerile jokes that may not be to some viewers' tastes.
The biggest issues are with the leading characters, Frank and Doofus (who are just friends in the show but are played by real life brothers Brian and Domhnall Gleeson). Doofus in particular is pitched as some kind of village idiot (the ridiculous name gives it away), but his character is often far too intellectual for the character to be believable. Similarly with Frank, who is supposedly a careless idiot, but who also seems to draw people closer to him by treating them badly, when really they should push him away. Sarah Greene is excellent as Aine, but her character is far too tolerant.
The best laughs come from the supporting cast - which is demonstrated in the fourth episode, a catastrophic am-dram performance which is the highlight of the whole series.
I certainly didn't want to switch it off. But if a second series came along, I wouldn't seek it out either.
"Frank of Ireland" is such a show. It's just "alright".
It's pitched as a strong comedy. It's not. It's certainly amusing, and pleasant to watch. But overall it is gentle, eccentric and sentimental, with only a handful of big laughs, most of which come from puerile jokes that may not be to some viewers' tastes.
The biggest issues are with the leading characters, Frank and Doofus (who are just friends in the show but are played by real life brothers Brian and Domhnall Gleeson). Doofus in particular is pitched as some kind of village idiot (the ridiculous name gives it away), but his character is often far too intellectual for the character to be believable. Similarly with Frank, who is supposedly a careless idiot, but who also seems to draw people closer to him by treating them badly, when really they should push him away. Sarah Greene is excellent as Aine, but her character is far too tolerant.
The best laughs come from the supporting cast - which is demonstrated in the fourth episode, a catastrophic am-dram performance which is the highlight of the whole series.
I certainly didn't want to switch it off. But if a second series came along, I wouldn't seek it out either.