I rarely claim to be politically savvy. However, I do tend to keep up to date as much as possible with the ridiculous thing that our government has become. With everything from politicians forgetting that they are our employees to the enormous control that big business has over them. I know enough not to be snowed into trusting most politicians as well as enough to applaud Natalie Manes when she voices her opinions of our current Commander in Chief. So when I see documentaries about the political arena I watch with rapt attention, mostly shaking my head at the proceedings. Such was the case with "Let's Get Frank", which was supposed to be a biographical look at the life and career of Representative Barney Frank. You might remember him as being one of the more outspoken members of Congress, whose sexual preferences once caused Dick Armey to 'accidentally' refer to him as Barney Fag. (Good going there… Dick…)

And for the most part the film does look at his career and the sexual scandal than nearly rocked it back in 1989. In case your memory is a bit faulty, Frank was living with a male prostitute by the name of Steve Gobie. When Gobie tried to claim he was running an escort service out of Frank's home, the media jumped on it… never mind that it wasn't true.

But while the film does delve into this subject, and Frank's attempts to show us the insanity that is the political world, quite a bit of time is spent on the Clinton / Lewinsky scandal and its aftermath. But I can see why director Bart Everly did this. He was trying to compare the similar way both scandals were handled and how ludicrous (and expensive) the witch-hunts were. Now, keep in mind that as is the case of any documentary it kind if takes sides and not everyone will agree with the opinions expressed here, but that's not the point. No matter how you may feel about Frank and his outlook on life and politics, it makes for a fascinating watch.

A huge part of the film's charm comes from Frank and his rather outgoing personality. He makes comments that other might not, and again even if you don't agree, there's no denying he has the gift of gab. While most politicians' simply have the gift of B.S., Frank has a very colorful way of expressing himself. The director took advantage of this by allowing Frank to do most of the narration by way of interviews and the like. It's his opinion you’re getting, and not necessarily that of Levy.

The film is getting out to the public via First Run Features in the way of a DVD release. Being that it’s a documentary I cannot really comment about the transfer beyond saying that it looks and sounds fine. There are no special effects or explosions to test out the home theatre system, so the transfer is what it needs to be. The only extra feature is a new interview with Frank, which serves to illuminate what you see in the film. I suggest watching it, but not until after you see the documentary.

"Let's Get Frank" is a decent documentary that will have the more intelligent members of the audience shaking their heads in disbelief (or nodding in acknowledgement) at the insanity that has become the method of operation throughout the American government.

Directed by: Bart Everly
Extras: New Interview with Barney Frank
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: First Run Features
Release Date: 9/19/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Let's Get Frank a B.