"“A subtle yet highly effective study of a delicate woman's character...”"

Francine opens with the explicit image of Melissa Leo showering, baring all to camera in what is the title character’s last day in prison, and from the candid imagery of the opening sequence, Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky’s debut feature film continues to astound and compel you, as Francine is a subtle yet highly effective study of a delicate woman’s character.

Francine has recently been released from jail, as she tepidly returns to the outside world, desperately searching for answers in a place somewhat unbeknown to her, as she struggles to adapt back into society. With no friends – nor intentions to make any – Francine is content at home with her pets, recklessly caring for a plethora of cats, dogs and gerbils.

Given her obsession with animals, Francine finds work in a pet store and a veterinary clinic – although her domestic passions aren’t as easily transferrable professionally as she would have liked, as she remains unable, and somewhat reluctant, in adjusting back to normality, slowly losing her way and slipping back into old habits in the process.

Francine tells a sad and poignant tale of a very lonely woman, faced with few prospects – bringing a whole new quality and sense of pity to those weird cat women you get on the end of your street. M. Cassidy and Shatzky have done a wonderful job in portraying this woman’s existence with a degree of subtlety, understated and minimalist in their approach. There is very little dialogue within this feature, and we barely – if at all – hear the name ‘Francine’ actually said, and had it not been for the title we may not even have know what she is called.

Such a technique adds to the upsetting anonymity of the protagonist, while the sentiment is extended to the supporting roles of the cast too, whom are effectively presented through Francine’s point of view, thus meaning they too are lacking in identity, as she has a barrier in front of her, refusing to allow anyone to get close to her. The supporting cast aren’t give any real personality or identification, as the characters merely drift in and out of the film, once again portraying Francine’s inability to hold down any form of relationship with another human being. Then again, if I had as much fun with cats as she does, I don’t think I’d care too much for friends either.

As for the opening shot of Francine in the shower, although surprising the audience with it’s instance assertiveness, it’s a clever technique implemented by the filmmakers as by seeing Francine completely naked within the opening minute instantly allows for us to feel closer to her, even if no-one else manages to. We’ve witnessed her at her most intimate moment, and we’ve seen all of her vulnerabilities already. It’s a brave move for Leo also, as the actress – fresh off the back of her Oscar winning performance in The Fighter – turns in an absolutely incredibly performance as Francine, and overlooking her at next year’s ceremony for this would be considered somewhat criminal.

Clocking in and at just an hour and a quarter, Francine is a short yet immensely touching character study, and although nothing dramatic happens as such, it simply doesn’t need too, as we bear witness to a tragic slice of this fragile woman’s life.