A brief look at a constricted life in 'Francine' ★★★

We first see Melissa Leo as the title character in "Francine" in a prison shower, readying herself for release into the outside world. This is a film of few words. The documentary-trained team of Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky, working on their first fiction feature here, allow small, incremental moments to add up. Or not.

Michael Phillips

November 8, 2012