Francesco

  • 1989
  • PG-13
  • 157m
movieMx RATING
6.5/1053
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: Francesco Review

Last updated: February 19, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 19, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Francesco (1989) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Francesco features a noteworthy lineup led by Mickey Rourke . Supported by the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Andréa Ferréol , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Francesco (1989) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Francesco stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: Francesco

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1989, Francesco is a Drama, History film directed by Liliana Cavani. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Mickey Rourke.

Ending Explained: Francesco

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Liliana Cavani, Francesco concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Mickey Rourke, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Francesco reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Francesco Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

Francesco draws heavily from documented historical records. As a drama, history film directed by Liliana Cavani, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Mickey Rourke's character.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.

Accuracy Assessment: Francesco adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch Francesco?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Mickey Rourke or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: Francesco

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $14.5M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

Francesco Budget

The estimated production budget for Francesco is $14.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: Francesco

All Cast & Crew →
Mickey Rourke
Mickey RourkeFrancesco
Andréa Ferréol
Andréa FerréolFrancesco's Mother
Nikolaus Dutsch
Nikolaus DutschCardinal Colonna
Peter Berling
Peter BerlingBishop Guido
Hanns Zischler
Hanns ZischlerPope Innocent III
Mario Adorf
Mario AdorfCardinal Ugolino
Paolo Bonacelli
Paolo BonacelliFrancesco's Father
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Where to Watch Francesco Online?

Streaming Hub

Francesco Parents Guide & Age Rating

1989 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Francesco age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Francesco is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Francesco is 157 minutes (2h 37m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, Francesco is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1989 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for Francesco. Rating: 6.5/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Francesco worth watching?

Francesco is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Francesco parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Francesco identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Francesco?

The total duration of Francesco is 157 minutes, which is approximately 2h 37m long.

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How Francesco Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Francesco

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🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.5
Francesco
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/francesco-84981" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.5</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Francesco</div></div></a>

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