After watching Spin and Ink yesterday I have decided to go on with Winans and just finished this now. I felt it slow toward the end, but nevertheless never boring, at all. The opposite. Once again a unique, fascinating creation. There is that mysterious feeling of watching the reality being dissected, as I had it for the first time with Matrix (then Truman Show, 13th Floor, Existenz, and Stranger Than Fiction). And once again, like in Ink, I feel a kind of depth which goes behind the intellectual virtuosity of the Wachowsky, behind sci-fi, behind experimental cinema. I cannot describe it. Probably I am not supposed to. I just want to pay respect with this review.
68 Reviews
Outstanding piece of film making.
durham10021 November 2014
I pre-ordered this film from its makers and received the digital download link a couple of hours ago and now, here I sit my mind racing and my heart lifted. I loved Ink, nowhere near enough people have seen that masterpiece and whilst The Frame has fantastical and whimsical elements it also plays like several stories from many genres. We have Ink like fantasy and mystery, a thriller style narrative about criminals heisting from other criminals, the story of a lonely paramedic, it is a tale of loss, love and there are undertones of philosophical debate throughout and, in my mind anyway, even a nod to the Wizard of Oz. Do not worry if my description paints a canvas of chaos, these various threads are seamlessly blended under a umbrella of science fiction and depicted by cinematography that is simply put, perfect. More than quite often you could freeze a frame, print it off and instantly have a work of art such is the use of colour and the beauty of the splendidly dressed sets. The music compliments all of the above and is subtle, mostly, unless otherwise required to be, and moving. The performances from the leads are simply outstanding and, despite the films wider theme, wholly believable. Every other character in the movie is likewise played without flaw. I implore people to see this movie and hopefully another piece of work from this company will not be long in coming.
The Frame
a_baron21 January 2020
If nothing else, this is a film that will make you think. A professional criminal and a paramedic meet through his TV set, like he turns on the TV and they talk to each other. They both question their own sanity, and additionally he thinks she may be more sinister than supernatural. It doesn't take her long to work out that he is a character in a TV series, and he soon realises she is one too. The obvious thing to do is meet up; he pressurises her to give him her address, which she does, but when he arrives, her apartment is occupied by someone else.
So they are not only real as well as TV characters but living in different dimensions though occupying the same space. There is quite a bit more to it than that, but if you manage to figure it out, chances are no one else will quite agree with you. The one criticism that can be made of "The Frame" is that in places it is rather slow.
So they are not only real as well as TV characters but living in different dimensions though occupying the same space. There is quite a bit more to it than that, but if you manage to figure it out, chances are no one else will quite agree with you. The one criticism that can be made of "The Frame" is that in places it is rather slow.
A mixed bag of great character studies and quasi-religious weirdness
onekirne12 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This film has much going for it. The characters and actors are quite good. The concept and effects are generally good. The way the characters respond to their absurd situation is mostly believable.
{ start of spoilers }
Towards the end the movie gets confused, loses its plot, and drags on a bit. Finally some sub par visual effect provide a deus ex machina to put him back into the room and give a happy ending that makes little sense at all. So the ending could certainly have been better.
In many ways this film reeks with common Christian misapprehensions; an obsession with the notion of freewill, a weird paranoia against psychologists, a false dichotomy between God or meaningless chaos, problems of evil and suffering framed in a solipsistic manner, characters who are clearly wracked by guilt, repeated themes of childhood trauma, anxiety over the matter of ones death, and some vague idea that brokenness, surrender, and playing violin can be the way out or forward from all of this chaos.
Most specifically, hysteria over the incompatibility of a script written by God and the concept of freewill is handled in a manner that is philosophically shallow at best, and incoherent or laughable in some instances. This is most clear in a scene where the male protagonist draws a frame on a piece of paper and pierces it with a pen. The character proceeds to enact that plan in a manner so literal that it is comical, apart from the fact that it could have been a suicide and that is so completely out of character for him.
{ end of spoilers }
So this film is quite preachy, although that does not become apparent towards the later half of the film, and it really tries not to be. I think it is okay for a film to be preachy, what I find it more irritating when they try to be subtle about it. Clearly the filmmakers are trying to communicate something, but in the end it is not clear what they wanted to say or even if they knew what they wanted to say.
There is a lot to like here, and regardless of the conclusion or lack thereof the journey itself is worth it. I think it could have been better if its dealings with theology had been more coherent or removed entirely.
{ start of spoilers }
Towards the end the movie gets confused, loses its plot, and drags on a bit. Finally some sub par visual effect provide a deus ex machina to put him back into the room and give a happy ending that makes little sense at all. So the ending could certainly have been better.
In many ways this film reeks with common Christian misapprehensions; an obsession with the notion of freewill, a weird paranoia against psychologists, a false dichotomy between God or meaningless chaos, problems of evil and suffering framed in a solipsistic manner, characters who are clearly wracked by guilt, repeated themes of childhood trauma, anxiety over the matter of ones death, and some vague idea that brokenness, surrender, and playing violin can be the way out or forward from all of this chaos.
Most specifically, hysteria over the incompatibility of a script written by God and the concept of freewill is handled in a manner that is philosophically shallow at best, and incoherent or laughable in some instances. This is most clear in a scene where the male protagonist draws a frame on a piece of paper and pierces it with a pen. The character proceeds to enact that plan in a manner so literal that it is comical, apart from the fact that it could have been a suicide and that is so completely out of character for him.
{ end of spoilers }
So this film is quite preachy, although that does not become apparent towards the later half of the film, and it really tries not to be. I think it is okay for a film to be preachy, what I find it more irritating when they try to be subtle about it. Clearly the filmmakers are trying to communicate something, but in the end it is not clear what they wanted to say or even if they knew what they wanted to say.
There is a lot to like here, and regardless of the conclusion or lack thereof the journey itself is worth it. I think it could have been better if its dealings with theology had been more coherent or removed entirely.
An engaging, thought-provoking sci-fi/fantasy
brchthethird15 January 2015
THE FRAME is the second film from writer-director Jamin Winans and it represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, INK, on all fronts. The basics of the plot, which is very hard to describe as it is without giving away too much information, is that there are two people, Alex and Sam, who are each going through some difficulties in their lives. Through some weird turn of events they end up meeting and eventually help each other come to terms with their pasts and current realities. I'm possibly missing something, but that was the gist of what I got out of it. The film speaks to the theme of our past defining who we are, to ourselves and others. Both Alex and Sam are in situations that they feel trapped in because of where they've been, but it takes meeting the other to discover that they are the authors of their own stories. And somehow, a dirty, black-clad man with a wrinkled hat who sprays ink on things has something to do with it. I think that to really grasp the fullness of what Winans is doing here requires more than one viewing, and I'll probably return to it at some point. For now, though, I'm just digesting it. In comparison to INK, though, THE FRAME is a much better film. It benefits from a slightly bigger budget, and the camera-work and editing are all improved. Even the acting, while not spectacular, is better than it was in INK. There aren't a whole lot of visual effects, but one effect of people turning into ink did look pretty cool. There's also some playing around with aspect ratios towards the end. Overall, THE FRAME was a visually creative, unique sci-fi/fantasy film that explores themes of redemption and overcoming doubts with sensitivity and a little flair. If you liked INK, then you should check this out but I would also recommend it to anyone who wants something the likes of which they haven't seen before.
Timeless Themes + Original Story + Technical Skill = Sci Fi Classic
quixotegrrl26 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
*Spoilers intentionally vague*
I first saw this film at a pre-release screening in the filmmakers Jamin and Kiowa Winans' hometown of Denver, and I could not recommend it more highly. (Note: I have no personal connection to the Winans, and had never met them before the screening.)
As an inveterate film junkie, I'm tempted to place this comparatively low-budget indie venture in the same class as some of the greatest modern science fiction films I've seen, like Blade Runner and Dark City. Like them, it tackles timeless, universal themes with clever allegorical relish - not to mention packs an emotional wallop. In addition, the deft cinematography and effects hold up against the mega-million-dollar blockbusters Hollywood has gotten us all used to. It's a work of art and a labor of love. And like many of the best works of art, it invites viewers to examine their own unconscious assumptions about reality, and even, perhaps, to approach their own lives with greater courage.
Obviously "frame" is a filmmaking term...but for those not familiar with this particular definition of the word, within the fields of social and cognitive science (as well as linguistics), a frame is also a way of mentally structuring experiential input in a coherent way, of giving it a narrative. The way we "frame" any given situation can determine whether we're depressed, angry, or happy about it, as well as dictate what choices we make and actions we take. In short: we believe the stories we tell ourselves. "The mind," as John Milton wrote centuries ago, "is its own place, and in itself can make a heav'n of hell, and a hell of heav'n." This is the concept, I believe, at the heart of THE FRAME. The movie asks: how much control do we really have over our stories? And what if we could burn the manuscript?
Filmed in Denver, THE FRAME takes place in the fictional city of Los Perditus (Latin for The Lost) in a state called Animas (Latin for Souls, as well as Jung's word for the archetype of the unconscious feminine in men). The protagonists Alex and Sam (I suspect their gender-neutral names are no accident) are played with fierce conviction by relative unknowns David Carranza and Tiffany Mualem, talented young actors who are that unassuming sort of gorgeous that grows on you. You fall in love with them as they're falling in love with each other.
Alex in particular seems lost, in an all-male underworld of crime, keeping his old resentments alive, rationing his tenderness, suspicious of Sam. This is a man who needs his anima. He can't stand to listen to beautiful music but he likes listening to Sam sing.
I expect that religious types will claim some kind of overtly religious message in the film - certainly some thorny theological questions are raised - but I'm not convinced that the concepts of God or the Devil as presented here (or for that matter the shady Mechanic, played with restrained menace by Christopher Soren Kelly in a triple role) reflect much more than Alex's own rather traditional and Catholic frame of reference regarding the tension between nihilism and hope, between creating beauty and succumbing to despair. (If the film were intended as some kind of simplistic Christian fable, I'd actually be sorely disappointed. It'd be a bit like turning the cosmos into a cops-and-robbers show.) But is he truly trapped in a narrative not of his own making?
Sam refers to these opposing dark and light elements as chaos and miracle. The inky goo that seeps insidiously into the landscape, blotting out objects in its path, seems representative of the former, while the extraordinary meeting of the two protagonists - and the metaphor that might represent - is clearly the latter. But even then, Sam is still the only approximation of a deus ex machina in obvious evidence; she alters the fates of others daily in her job as an EMT, and refuses to accept a fatalistic script. Her story is literally about hope. The most powerful beings in this universe still appear to be the humans...whether or not they know it.
If anything, I think it may be the New Agey quantum-mysticism crowd who walk away most justifiably satisfied with the film when the credits roll; in the end, as it turns out, it really is all about the vibrations.
But even if you're just an irreligious humanities sap like me who believes in the power of art, beauty, and human love to effect paradigmatic and even cataclysmic change, go see this film. It will move and hearten you. And maybe even inspire you to change your story.
I first saw this film at a pre-release screening in the filmmakers Jamin and Kiowa Winans' hometown of Denver, and I could not recommend it more highly. (Note: I have no personal connection to the Winans, and had never met them before the screening.)
As an inveterate film junkie, I'm tempted to place this comparatively low-budget indie venture in the same class as some of the greatest modern science fiction films I've seen, like Blade Runner and Dark City. Like them, it tackles timeless, universal themes with clever allegorical relish - not to mention packs an emotional wallop. In addition, the deft cinematography and effects hold up against the mega-million-dollar blockbusters Hollywood has gotten us all used to. It's a work of art and a labor of love. And like many of the best works of art, it invites viewers to examine their own unconscious assumptions about reality, and even, perhaps, to approach their own lives with greater courage.
Obviously "frame" is a filmmaking term...but for those not familiar with this particular definition of the word, within the fields of social and cognitive science (as well as linguistics), a frame is also a way of mentally structuring experiential input in a coherent way, of giving it a narrative. The way we "frame" any given situation can determine whether we're depressed, angry, or happy about it, as well as dictate what choices we make and actions we take. In short: we believe the stories we tell ourselves. "The mind," as John Milton wrote centuries ago, "is its own place, and in itself can make a heav'n of hell, and a hell of heav'n." This is the concept, I believe, at the heart of THE FRAME. The movie asks: how much control do we really have over our stories? And what if we could burn the manuscript?
Filmed in Denver, THE FRAME takes place in the fictional city of Los Perditus (Latin for The Lost) in a state called Animas (Latin for Souls, as well as Jung's word for the archetype of the unconscious feminine in men). The protagonists Alex and Sam (I suspect their gender-neutral names are no accident) are played with fierce conviction by relative unknowns David Carranza and Tiffany Mualem, talented young actors who are that unassuming sort of gorgeous that grows on you. You fall in love with them as they're falling in love with each other.
Alex in particular seems lost, in an all-male underworld of crime, keeping his old resentments alive, rationing his tenderness, suspicious of Sam. This is a man who needs his anima. He can't stand to listen to beautiful music but he likes listening to Sam sing.
I expect that religious types will claim some kind of overtly religious message in the film - certainly some thorny theological questions are raised - but I'm not convinced that the concepts of God or the Devil as presented here (or for that matter the shady Mechanic, played with restrained menace by Christopher Soren Kelly in a triple role) reflect much more than Alex's own rather traditional and Catholic frame of reference regarding the tension between nihilism and hope, between creating beauty and succumbing to despair. (If the film were intended as some kind of simplistic Christian fable, I'd actually be sorely disappointed. It'd be a bit like turning the cosmos into a cops-and-robbers show.) But is he truly trapped in a narrative not of his own making?
Sam refers to these opposing dark and light elements as chaos and miracle. The inky goo that seeps insidiously into the landscape, blotting out objects in its path, seems representative of the former, while the extraordinary meeting of the two protagonists - and the metaphor that might represent - is clearly the latter. But even then, Sam is still the only approximation of a deus ex machina in obvious evidence; she alters the fates of others daily in her job as an EMT, and refuses to accept a fatalistic script. Her story is literally about hope. The most powerful beings in this universe still appear to be the humans...whether or not they know it.
If anything, I think it may be the New Agey quantum-mysticism crowd who walk away most justifiably satisfied with the film when the credits roll; in the end, as it turns out, it really is all about the vibrations.
But even if you're just an irreligious humanities sap like me who believes in the power of art, beauty, and human love to effect paradigmatic and even cataclysmic change, go see this film. It will move and hearten you. And maybe even inspire you to change your story.
Captivating, but falls short at the end.
strisk10 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
If you loved I Origins, you gonna like this. Mesmerizing! Great build-up!! Unfortunate anti-climactic ending spoils near perfect movie. This is how it should've ended:
!!! SPOILER !!!
Alex arrives home. Bleeding on the floor the voice from TV pierces his foggy half-conscious state. "Call ambulance..." He dials 911 and passes out leaving emergency operator on the line. Operator triangulates his location by the active call and sends EMT out. Sam gets a call from her goofy partner to pick her up for another crazy emergency. She leaves her apartment devastated, but determined to not fail this one as she thinks she did Alex. They drive fast and arrive to Alex's building. Police is already there, looking for the right apartment door. Sam feels unusual draw to Alex's place. She realizes what's happening and darts upstairs. The door's unlocked. She starts CPR and screen fades to black.
Very disappointed in the actual movie ending.
!!! SPOILER !!!
Alex arrives home. Bleeding on the floor the voice from TV pierces his foggy half-conscious state. "Call ambulance..." He dials 911 and passes out leaving emergency operator on the line. Operator triangulates his location by the active call and sends EMT out. Sam gets a call from her goofy partner to pick her up for another crazy emergency. She leaves her apartment devastated, but determined to not fail this one as she thinks she did Alex. They drive fast and arrive to Alex's building. Police is already there, looking for the right apartment door. Sam feels unusual draw to Alex's place. She realizes what's happening and darts upstairs. The door's unlocked. She starts CPR and screen fades to black.
Very disappointed in the actual movie ending.
A Highly Original Work of Art.
filazafer-167-88210022 November 2014
I am a huge fan of Jamin Winan's film "Ink" so I have been waiting for "The Frame" for awhile. After seeing it I wasn't disappointed, even if it doesn't top "Ink." This movie has much better acting and is overall of higher visual quality, but the story is much slower and probably could have benefited from a little more editing.
I do think that Winans is the most original film maker in the game right now. He reminds me of Christopher Nolan and I would love to see what he could do with a blockbuster budget. The main area where his movies fall short is in the acting department. While the main characters are played by good actors, some of the smaller roles are played by people that simply aren't good.
Overall, this movie is completely original and doesn't fit into any category. Even if someone's review gave away the whole story you would have to see it for yourself to understand. This is a movie that is going to mean something different for every person that watches it, but it's not for everyone. Winan's movies are dream-like and some people will prefer a more straight forward story. But, I think the movie is beautiful. Winan's visuals and music are always stellar. I am already looking forward to his next project, whatever that may be.
I do think that Winans is the most original film maker in the game right now. He reminds me of Christopher Nolan and I would love to see what he could do with a blockbuster budget. The main area where his movies fall short is in the acting department. While the main characters are played by good actors, some of the smaller roles are played by people that simply aren't good.
Overall, this movie is completely original and doesn't fit into any category. Even if someone's review gave away the whole story you would have to see it for yourself to understand. This is a movie that is going to mean something different for every person that watches it, but it's not for everyone. Winan's movies are dream-like and some people will prefer a more straight forward story. But, I think the movie is beautiful. Winan's visuals and music are always stellar. I am already looking forward to his next project, whatever that may be.
Life Scripted
view_and_review4 February 2016
I would be lying if I said I completely understood this movie. No, I did not fully comprehend it but in this case I was OK with that. I was OK with it because 1.) I understood enough and 2.) it was well done. I have problems with movies that fail to be sensible enough or fail to explain enough of itself because it attempts to be artsy. This movie was definitely artistic but it was compelling in its artistic-ness.
Imagine watching a program and following a character only to learn that the character was watching a program of your life and following you. That is an extremely brief synopsis of this movie as Alex (David Carranza) and Sam (Tiffany Mualem) watch one another's lives play out on screen.
There are a lot of portentous moments and a pervasive somber mood that's established by the actors, their situations and the musical score. What mystery there is behind their phenomenon takes a back seat to your desire to seeing them finally meet. It is a nice drama/sci-fi with the emphasis on the drama.
Imagine watching a program and following a character only to learn that the character was watching a program of your life and following you. That is an extremely brief synopsis of this movie as Alex (David Carranza) and Sam (Tiffany Mualem) watch one another's lives play out on screen.
There are a lot of portentous moments and a pervasive somber mood that's established by the actors, their situations and the musical score. What mystery there is behind their phenomenon takes a back seat to your desire to seeing them finally meet. It is a nice drama/sci-fi with the emphasis on the drama.
Ambitious but falls short -- Spoiler Alert
helpme-373-34740823 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
It is difficult to write this review having been a huge Winans fans for the last few years and eagerly awaiting The Frame, but after reading some of the other fanatic reviews I felt it was necessary to write my own to present an even perspective.
The Frame starts out as other Winans films, very confusing and it takes a bit to grasp that one is watching is "reality" but rather alternate realities which the main characters (Sam & Alex) believe to be real. Both Sam and Alex have tragic backgrounds which they are trying to escape without confronting their problems but events conspired against this. Through the story, audience and characters slowly realize that there is something or someone controlling events and these seemed pre-determined and they both deny parts of their past which is telegraphed throughout as something they should not be doing. This is where the two main characters differ, one chooses to believe that this could be a miracle while the other one does not -- this is lifted straight out of M. Night Shyamalan's SIGNS (2002). The plot gets weirder as Sam, in an effort to help Alex's story have a good ending, tracks down the source of Alex's story (a typewriter) and finds that events can be changed/rewritten by editing the page they are written on (reminded me of Spin 2005). This is where the chase to stop Sam & Alex begins and it seemed to be a formulaic thing for Winans, who used this same approach for INK (2009) during the hospital showdown. The ending of the story was predictable and drawn out which seemed to be an attempt to mind twist viewers.
At the end of the movie, I felt that Jamin Winans would have been better off continuing INK's universe somehow. There were too many parallels that made me think Winans is not done with that story (e.g. ink floating over the world, characters turning to ink, parallel worlds that collide, etc.). All throughout the movie, the music interjects and in most cases over shadowing the dialog and story.
The Frame is generally entertaining and the quality of the acting is good enough to get one vested in characters. It's shortcomings were its repetitive plot (you'll get that if you've seen previous J.Winans movies and shorts), over use of music, and approach to story telling.
The Frame starts out as other Winans films, very confusing and it takes a bit to grasp that one is watching is "reality" but rather alternate realities which the main characters (Sam & Alex) believe to be real. Both Sam and Alex have tragic backgrounds which they are trying to escape without confronting their problems but events conspired against this. Through the story, audience and characters slowly realize that there is something or someone controlling events and these seemed pre-determined and they both deny parts of their past which is telegraphed throughout as something they should not be doing. This is where the two main characters differ, one chooses to believe that this could be a miracle while the other one does not -- this is lifted straight out of M. Night Shyamalan's SIGNS (2002). The plot gets weirder as Sam, in an effort to help Alex's story have a good ending, tracks down the source of Alex's story (a typewriter) and finds that events can be changed/rewritten by editing the page they are written on (reminded me of Spin 2005). This is where the chase to stop Sam & Alex begins and it seemed to be a formulaic thing for Winans, who used this same approach for INK (2009) during the hospital showdown. The ending of the story was predictable and drawn out which seemed to be an attempt to mind twist viewers.
At the end of the movie, I felt that Jamin Winans would have been better off continuing INK's universe somehow. There were too many parallels that made me think Winans is not done with that story (e.g. ink floating over the world, characters turning to ink, parallel worlds that collide, etc.). All throughout the movie, the music interjects and in most cases over shadowing the dialog and story.
The Frame is generally entertaining and the quality of the acting is good enough to get one vested in characters. It's shortcomings were its repetitive plot (you'll get that if you've seen previous J.Winans movies and shorts), over use of music, and approach to story telling.
mind blown, heart wrenched
patrick-free18 December 2015
I was not expecting much.. just came across this by chance, and a couple hours later my body and mind are still trembling with the power and depth of this trip through the surreal. emotional, and visually stimulating, complete fantasy yet somehow touches a very real sense of ones being, and longing for redemption.. fulfillment..a search for completeness.
watching, feeling this movie was a profound experience for me, but I will not be surprised that it is not for everyone, or even anyone not prepared..open and patient, for it's magic to take you out of this world.
watching, feeling this movie was a profound experience for me, but I will not be surprised that it is not for everyone, or even anyone not prepared..open and patient, for it's magic to take you out of this world.
Composed and worthwhile
aimanwm24 June 2018
While ideas of God or fate may come up, I latch onto the film's address of the controls we necessarily allow to crop our lives. While we watch the character's emotional journeys, the audience's experience is purely intellectual, which is the main limitation of the film. The relationship element of the movie seems more a vehicle for the story than the center, so I'm glad they kept to their real purpose by not including mushy stuff that would have muddled everything. It's about freedom of the self not being fulfilled by others. One other criticism, personally, is that I find it moves rather slow and the scenes of literally fighting the frame seem a bit gimmicky.
Exhausting
blumdeluxe26 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"The frame" tells the story of two strangers who, out of a sudden, notice that they are able to communicate through their television with each other and soon start to realize that the world they live in could be only a version of reality with them as the stars of their own respective tv shows.
The movie is very intellectual, sometimes in a good, sometimes in a very posh kind of way. I like the stories of the two characters that are both well acted and in a way I also like the mystery element surrounding their contact. However, as time goes by, rather than providing some plausibility, the film turns more and more artsy and ends with something that looks a bit like a forcedly sophisticated version of Austrian film "Die Mauer". It reflects on the role of the author towards his work but isn't always stringent in its conclusions.
All in all this film shows a lot of potential and convinces through a good cast and the skill to make its audience curious. Unfortunately, it tries a bit too hard to be intellectual and misses to build up a plausible plot on the way.
The movie is very intellectual, sometimes in a good, sometimes in a very posh kind of way. I like the stories of the two characters that are both well acted and in a way I also like the mystery element surrounding their contact. However, as time goes by, rather than providing some plausibility, the film turns more and more artsy and ends with something that looks a bit like a forcedly sophisticated version of Austrian film "Die Mauer". It reflects on the role of the author towards his work but isn't always stringent in its conclusions.
All in all this film shows a lot of potential and convinces through a good cast and the skill to make its audience curious. Unfortunately, it tries a bit too hard to be intellectual and misses to build up a plausible plot on the way.
Long, slow and confusing
Phil_Chester31 December 2020
It can be really entertaining to open a film in medias res, where you have no idea what's going on, but the momentum keeps you engaged. This is NOT that kind of film. You have no idea what's going on, but the exposition you need to understand things comes so long after the momentum has vanished that it's impossible to stay with it. Long, slow and confusing. For diehard Winans fans only.
'The Frame' is definatley very unusual!
gunn-wrights6 June 2020
I liked the feel of the movie - I've seen other comments who say it's like the Matrix or the 13th Floor - and I can see the comparison. It's most definitely WeiRd! Very creative plot line, that's for sure, but a little slow, even for an intellectual movie. I was shouting at the TV what the lead man should do, about 30 minutes before he did it? duuhhhh..
Overall, not too bad, would recommend on a rainy Sunday.
Overall, not too bad, would recommend on a rainy Sunday.
David Lynch + David Cronenberg + Richard Kelly = "THE FRAME" (Review & Analysis)
horitaj5 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"The Frame" follows the characters of Alex and Sam. Alex is a man who works for the cartel and tries to escape his life of crime. Sam is an ambulance paramedic who is struggling with her past and is trying to live a normal, healthy life. Somehow these two characters lives collide in a complicated and fantasy like way that makes us the audience question what's real and what's fiction. "The Frame" is directed by Jamin Winans who also brought us the movie "Ink" (2009), which I have not seen. "The Frame" is one of the most original films I've seen along with many other films I've seen. The film starts as a crime drama but turns into a psychological thriller, which I really like. The leap from one genre to the next was handled so well by Winans, and it was a risk that was truly worth taking.
The performances by David Carranza, and Tiffany Mualem (Alex and Sam) were good to say the least. The performances weren't groundbreaking or Oscar worthy, but they did project the story and made me very invested in the film and what was going to happen to these two characters. The plot of the film is complicated, I wouldn't say it's David Lynch complicated but I would say that your brain has to be turned on when watching the film.
A couple of flaws I had with the film was some of the acting. At times I felt that the performances got overly cheesy or dramatic. And the other flaw I had with the film was that I felt it took itself a little too seriously. I do understand why it did but I just felt that the film could've been a little more loose and didn't have to make every scene so dramatic.
**SPOILERS** **SPOILERS** **SPOILERS** **SPOILERS** **SPOILERS**
If you're still reading this then you obviously saw the film. That's my last warning.
Now I'm just going to put it out there right away, the character of Sam is imagining everything that has to do with the character of Alex. Alex is nothing but Sam's imagination. Sam is trying to escape her past and live in the present so she can move forward in the future. By doing this she sees her therapist. Her therapist tells her that she's been doing a good job at "distracting" herself and "watching the television". TV plays a big role in the film. Obviously Sam is going through a lot of stress in her life and is possibly psychologically ill, which causes her to see the television show "Thieves AND Saints" which stars Alex as himself. Like her therapist said before, Alex is a "distraction" for Sam, which is why she's the only person who can see this show. Alex is a reflection of Sam.
When Alex first sees Sam on his television they both do the same movements and imitate one another. This happens with every time they see each other. To prove that Sam is imagining all of this, there's a scene in the film where she calls the writers of the television show "Thieves AND Saints". When she's forwarded to the writers all she hears is her voice over the phone saying exactly what she's saying. This proves that Alex's destiny and story is all because of Sam, and she can change it.
When the two characters try to meet in person on the bridge they both sit at the exact same spot. While this is happening Sam's therapist just so happens to be there and sits next to her. And at the same time Alex's boss just so happens to be there and sits next to him. This is Sam imagining herself as Alex, and imagining that her therapist is Alex's boss. Whenever the two characters try to meet in public they can never find each other because one lives in the physical world while the other lives inside someone's head.
The Mechanic very much resembles the character of the cowboy in "Mulholland Dr." (2001). The Mechanic resembles death or the devil. I'm not exactly sure what impact he had on the film but he added an extra layer of substance to this already complicated story.
The end of the film is pretty much Sam getting over her psychosis. The last thirty minutes of the film is Sam imagining all these crazy things happening. I personally think she was just sitting on her couch the entire time while all these insane things started to unfold. Just to put it out there Sam did not get hit by the car and is not dead. At the end when Alex and Sam finally come in contact with one another it symbolizes Sam coming to terms with her past and able to face the future. Both Alex and Sam are facing their past and are having a difficult time facing the future. The character of Alex has his violin of when he was a child. The last time Alex remembers having the violin is when his parents were killed in front of him. The violin is a metaphor or a symbol for Alex's past which he has such a hard time coming to terms with. During the climax of the film when Alex plays the violin he is coming to terms with his past. This causes Sam to come to terms with her past as well because Alex and Sam are the same person it's just that Sam is in control of how she will face her past.
This is simply my interpretation of the film so whatever I said may not mean jack to you. I do think "The Frame" is a film that should have more recognition. So go see it if you haven't already. Even though if you didn't watch the film and are still reading this then you just spoiled the movie for yourself.
The performances by David Carranza, and Tiffany Mualem (Alex and Sam) were good to say the least. The performances weren't groundbreaking or Oscar worthy, but they did project the story and made me very invested in the film and what was going to happen to these two characters. The plot of the film is complicated, I wouldn't say it's David Lynch complicated but I would say that your brain has to be turned on when watching the film.
A couple of flaws I had with the film was some of the acting. At times I felt that the performances got overly cheesy or dramatic. And the other flaw I had with the film was that I felt it took itself a little too seriously. I do understand why it did but I just felt that the film could've been a little more loose and didn't have to make every scene so dramatic.
**SPOILERS** **SPOILERS** **SPOILERS** **SPOILERS** **SPOILERS**
If you're still reading this then you obviously saw the film. That's my last warning.
Now I'm just going to put it out there right away, the character of Sam is imagining everything that has to do with the character of Alex. Alex is nothing but Sam's imagination. Sam is trying to escape her past and live in the present so she can move forward in the future. By doing this she sees her therapist. Her therapist tells her that she's been doing a good job at "distracting" herself and "watching the television". TV plays a big role in the film. Obviously Sam is going through a lot of stress in her life and is possibly psychologically ill, which causes her to see the television show "Thieves AND Saints" which stars Alex as himself. Like her therapist said before, Alex is a "distraction" for Sam, which is why she's the only person who can see this show. Alex is a reflection of Sam.
When Alex first sees Sam on his television they both do the same movements and imitate one another. This happens with every time they see each other. To prove that Sam is imagining all of this, there's a scene in the film where she calls the writers of the television show "Thieves AND Saints". When she's forwarded to the writers all she hears is her voice over the phone saying exactly what she's saying. This proves that Alex's destiny and story is all because of Sam, and she can change it.
When the two characters try to meet in person on the bridge they both sit at the exact same spot. While this is happening Sam's therapist just so happens to be there and sits next to her. And at the same time Alex's boss just so happens to be there and sits next to him. This is Sam imagining herself as Alex, and imagining that her therapist is Alex's boss. Whenever the two characters try to meet in public they can never find each other because one lives in the physical world while the other lives inside someone's head.
The Mechanic very much resembles the character of the cowboy in "Mulholland Dr." (2001). The Mechanic resembles death or the devil. I'm not exactly sure what impact he had on the film but he added an extra layer of substance to this already complicated story.
The end of the film is pretty much Sam getting over her psychosis. The last thirty minutes of the film is Sam imagining all these crazy things happening. I personally think she was just sitting on her couch the entire time while all these insane things started to unfold. Just to put it out there Sam did not get hit by the car and is not dead. At the end when Alex and Sam finally come in contact with one another it symbolizes Sam coming to terms with her past and able to face the future. Both Alex and Sam are facing their past and are having a difficult time facing the future. The character of Alex has his violin of when he was a child. The last time Alex remembers having the violin is when his parents were killed in front of him. The violin is a metaphor or a symbol for Alex's past which he has such a hard time coming to terms with. During the climax of the film when Alex plays the violin he is coming to terms with his past. This causes Sam to come to terms with her past as well because Alex and Sam are the same person it's just that Sam is in control of how she will face her past.
This is simply my interpretation of the film so whatever I said may not mean jack to you. I do think "The Frame" is a film that should have more recognition. So go see it if you haven't already. Even though if you didn't watch the film and are still reading this then you just spoiled the movie for yourself.
So Surprised! With more resources/fixing, this could be one of the all time greatest movies ever in this genre!
mathiaswestman9 February 2021
Twin Peaks, Black Mirror, Alan Wake, The Last Action Hero and Donnie Darko...Take a small bite from everyone, and you get "The Frame".
It was a long time ago, I felt so mixed up about a movie. Most of the time I got that "B-movie"-feeling. But sometimes, WOW! So good!
I wont spoil anything, but I say this: please please, If they could just add more resources(Hollywood-style), actors and fix some minor plot holes...And Im serious, this could be one of the greatest movies ever in this genre (probably Better than Donnie Darko and Lynchys movies)...
It was a long time ago, I felt so mixed up about a movie. Most of the time I got that "B-movie"-feeling. But sometimes, WOW! So good!
I wont spoil anything, but I say this: please please, If they could just add more resources(Hollywood-style), actors and fix some minor plot holes...And Im serious, this could be one of the greatest movies ever in this genre (probably Better than Donnie Darko and Lynchys movies)...
schizophrenic, depressive, nonsense; Jamin Winans
nahumthebest24 June 2017
I accidentally bumped into this movie so I gave it a try. What a waste of time!
This movie was single-handedly written and directed by a failed writer/director by the name of Jamin Winans.. He's made several films and not one's been a success of any kind.
This movie is like following the life of somebody with severe schizoaffective disorder, a.k.a. schizophrenia with depression.
The movie was depressive and overly sentimental and dramatic.
The acting was poor.
The "low budget" showed throughout the entire film.
Very slow and boring overall. It was nonsense from start to finish.
If you're into nonsensical delusions and hallucinations (schizophrenia) and depression, then this movie is for you.
This movie was single-handedly written and directed by a failed writer/director by the name of Jamin Winans.. He's made several films and not one's been a success of any kind.
This movie is like following the life of somebody with severe schizoaffective disorder, a.k.a. schizophrenia with depression.
The movie was depressive and overly sentimental and dramatic.
The acting was poor.
The "low budget" showed throughout the entire film.
Very slow and boring overall. It was nonsense from start to finish.
If you're into nonsensical delusions and hallucinations (schizophrenia) and depression, then this movie is for you.
Somebody Get This Guy a Budget..!
OmStarsong7 August 2022
If he can do this with a minimal budget, what can he do with big bucks..? But then would Hollywood producers force their mindless pap on him..?
Hard to say, but I am way impressed..! If you forget the religious aspect and simply consider it all as consciousness projection it all makes pretty good sense.. Considering how much video, movies, etc I watch it would not be a surprise to me to have a reflective manifestation like this.. haha Really solid acting by the main cast.. Really good directing with impeccable timing.. Fluid cinematography and nothing shoved in your face.. Even the gunplay was realistic and within the bounds of logic.. Like a few other movies about consciousness and perspective this is basically a simple Inception.. Everything is relative, even how we perceive the meaning of this play.. Well done everyone involved in this and thank you for putting something smart out there and allowing the audience to receive something positive amongst the typical horror and angst Hollywood cranks out these days.. 👍
Hard to say, but I am way impressed..! If you forget the religious aspect and simply consider it all as consciousness projection it all makes pretty good sense.. Considering how much video, movies, etc I watch it would not be a surprise to me to have a reflective manifestation like this.. haha Really solid acting by the main cast.. Really good directing with impeccable timing.. Fluid cinematography and nothing shoved in your face.. Even the gunplay was realistic and within the bounds of logic.. Like a few other movies about consciousness and perspective this is basically a simple Inception.. Everything is relative, even how we perceive the meaning of this play.. Well done everyone involved in this and thank you for putting something smart out there and allowing the audience to receive something positive amongst the typical horror and angst Hollywood cranks out these days.. 👍
3rd act is the best part
wendypaczek21 May 2023
Over all this movie is average. Especially the first act, it's a sleeper and you're really not sure what direction the movie is going or what it's even about. The second act picks up and it has more direction but I was just along for the ride, but the ride wasn't a roller coaster... it was more like I was driving down a highway on the plains. I will admit, there was one emotional scene that did get me choked up, so props there. Thankfully, the last act made up for it all and had a scene which brought cohesiveness to where movie gets it's title and made the movie worth a watch. The special effects in this act were great!
Powerful and original
timrossminister7 June 2019
Be patient with the first twenty minutes, which may seem slow, but are crucial in establishing the starting point before you are taken down a truly fantastical sci-fi rabbit hole. It most definitely is not what you think it is when you first start watching, and waiting for the weirdness to begin is worth the wait, I promise you.
This film asks familiar questions about free will and determinism but does so in a very original and thought-provoking way.
David Carranza's performance is complex, layered and award worthy.
What is The Frame? You'll have to watch to the end to find out!
Good concept but way too slow at the end.
darrenbirt29 May 2021
As another reviewer said, would have made a good 'Black Mirror' episode, but the last 30 minutes was an utter waste of film. Could have happily cut that down to five minutes and not lost much in the story telling. Was a shame because to my mind went from a solid 6/7 down to a 4 in that last half an hour.
Mesmerizing
christopher-dallas-113-22954123 November 2014
Mesmerizing and hypnotic.
The soundtrack is a crucial part of the film and tells part of the story, not in words but by eliciting emotion and strong but subtle empathy. The only way to achieve that level of intricacy is to do what the director did; write the soundtrack as the story was written and filmed.
I really liked Ink and was impressed what Winans did with a micro budget. There is a tie-in or signature from Ink and it may show up in later films.
I really hope Winans retains the style and not bound by a production company. As for the film; original, artistic, surreal and romantic. It's something that will leave its mark on you.
In its genre and as an art house film, I give this an 8. No films are on equal playing fields or genres.
I consider a 7 to be the magic number of "must see" but not necessarily award winning material.
An 8 is for movies that leave a lasting impression, not just for entertainment.
Where/how to watch it: You can purchase directly from the site for $8. This includes the soundtrack. They have various packages and you can donate as well. I would be glad to help support Winans future films.
$8 to own it including the soundtrack? It usually costs me $60 to see a film with my daughters when you add everything up.
Great movie.
The soundtrack is a crucial part of the film and tells part of the story, not in words but by eliciting emotion and strong but subtle empathy. The only way to achieve that level of intricacy is to do what the director did; write the soundtrack as the story was written and filmed.
I really liked Ink and was impressed what Winans did with a micro budget. There is a tie-in or signature from Ink and it may show up in later films.
I really hope Winans retains the style and not bound by a production company. As for the film; original, artistic, surreal and romantic. It's something that will leave its mark on you.
In its genre and as an art house film, I give this an 8. No films are on equal playing fields or genres.
I consider a 7 to be the magic number of "must see" but not necessarily award winning material.
An 8 is for movies that leave a lasting impression, not just for entertainment.
Where/how to watch it: You can purchase directly from the site for $8. This includes the soundtrack. They have various packages and you can donate as well. I would be glad to help support Winans future films.
$8 to own it including the soundtrack? It usually costs me $60 to see a film with my daughters when you add everything up.
Great movie.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
