Richard Gere delivers a bravura performance as the title character, a rich eccentric man who worms his way into the lives of a deceased friend’s young daughter (Dakota Fanning) and her new husband (Theo James). Writer-director Andrew Renzi’s narrative feature debut Franny is a warm and winsome story that explores the pangs of the past and reflects on what it is to be family.

Renzi displays the nuances of a seasoned storyteller, constructing an emotional labyrinth around an endearing and enduring Shakespearian character. Franny is a remarkable drama enlivened by incredible performances delivered by a versatile cast, bringing to life Renzi’s powerful cinematic vision.

—Frédéric Boyer