Let's Get Frank

Synopsis: LET'S GET FRANK is the story of one of America's most well loved and outspoken politicians. It is also an unprecedented and surprisingly candid look at sexuality and politics at the end of the 20th Century. Filmmaker Bart Everly has spent the past 24 months following U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass.), one of the nation's few openly gay politicians. With unprecedented and unlimited access to both his professional and personal life, Everly has captured Frank doing what he does best -- being frank! From Capitol Hill to Fire Island, from high-power meetings to being out and about with his boyfriend, Barney Frank is more than just another member of Congress. His journey from closeted official to sex scandal poster boy would have destroyed most politicians. But Frank's sharp wit, outspoken views and down home understanding of politics have made him popular and respected, on both sides of the political fence. Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage show Barney in action on the House floor during the President Clinton's impeachment hearings as well as what's being said on the microphone, and off. LET'S GET FRANK chronicles not only Barney Frank's life, but his unique place in history as one of the top ranking minority members of the House Judiciary Committee during the impeachment hearing. Going head to head daily with Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), Frank became one of Clinton's most eloquent defenders as well as a near-daily presence on the evening newscast. After all, Barney understands a thing or two about sexual persecution. After coming out in the late 1980s of his own volition, Barney made history by being reelected to Congress as the first openly gay member to serve. Later, in the early 1990s, The Washington Times broke a sex scandal story linking Barney to a male prostitute. Disappointing his enemies who assumed he would just resign and go away, Barney faced this controversy head on, told the truth, and regained respect. Rewarded for his honesty, Barney is now one of the most popular Representatives in the United States, having been reelected to Congress 11 times. LET'S GET FRANK goes right to the heart of the political posturing and sexual hypocrisy of modern American politics. In this age of 'sexual McCarthyism', people living in the public eye are forced to reveal aspects of their private lives. When Bill Clinton's 'sexual indiscretion' was put under a microscope, gay people (including Frank) strongly identified with the President's discomfort and outrage. Clinton's impeachment trial showed us that, even today, public ambitions inspire, or even require, lying, covering up, and shading personal truths for survival -- a quagmire which gay people understand all too well.   Source: Bart Everly