Watch Frank and Cindy

Frank and Cindy is a 2007 independent film directed by G.J. Echternkamp, based on a true story. The movie follows the lives of the titular couple. Frank Garcia as himself plays a burnt-out rock musician who had a brief shot at success in the 1980s, and Cynthia Brown as herself, his now ex-wife and former muse. The films start as Frank is shown to be living with his mother in a cramped studio apartment, working odd jobs following his fall from peaking success. Meanwhile, Cindy lives a comfortable life in Arizona with her new husband and children. Frank has been making a living selling cars, and often calling Cindy to ask for money, leading her to offer him a final chance at success in the entertainment industry.

Cindy agrees to finance a music video for Frank's new band, with the stipulation that he work on repairing his relationship with their adult daughter, G.J. Echternkamp, played by Rene Russo's daughter, Rose. The task of documenting the making of the video, as well as Frank's attempts to reconnect with his daughter, falls on G.J. herself, who takes on the role of the film's director and camera person.

As filming commences everyone starts understanding the complexity of the personalities they have to work with. Frank is prone to drinking to excess, while Cindy, who had moved on to create a new life, has her own control issues. G.J, remembering her difficult childhood, is not inclined to let go of her resentment towards her estranged father.

Despite the difficulties, the family, at a certain level, starts reconciling. Their brief moments, despite their struggle with addiction, denial, and resentment, reflect how love can always find its way back even in the hardest of times.

The acting performances by both Frank and Cindy are realistic, raw and convincing, and the film can be relatable to anyone who has ever experienced the tough times of raising a family or coping with addiction, financial problems, and divorce.

Furthermore, the soundtrack is a highlight of the film, featuring old and new songs from Frank's musical career intertwined with performances from the new band.

All in all, Frank and Cindy is a poignant and honest film, that despite its moments of levity and hilarity, is a portrayal of life's challenges and the strength that comes when people try to reconnect and accept each other. The result is a profound meditation on the relationships between family members, both the good and the bad, and how we can live with the scars they may have left in our lives.

Frank and Cindy is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.