Frank and Cindy, A Musical Family Portrait

A Look at OXO Singer Frank Garcia & Wife, Filmed By His Stepson

Oct 26, 2008

As much as Frank and Cindy may act as if they want to get away from each other, it's apparent that they depend on each other. Dysfunctional? Maybe - but they're family.

Frank and Cindy begins with a clip from 1983 of a band called OXO, “one of the most promising bands in modern rock,” followed by a snippet from an interview with Frank Garcia, in which he’s asked how it feels to be opening for Hall and Oats. Suddenly print appear across the screen, “My mother married this man!”

This is how G.J. Echternkamp’s amateur documentary about his stepfather Frank, an almost-famous musician, and his mother Cindy, a prima-donna, begins. G.J. interviews both of them throughout the film, asking questions and following them throughout their conversations with each other and daily activities. Frank and Cindy are both wacky, crazy and charismatic, and G.J. is convinced that they are a gold-mine for a film.

Cindy, the Almost-Trophy Wife

Cindy is a former alcoholic who has spent the last 25 years supporting Frank by working two jobs so that he could focus on his music. When she met Frank, his band OXO had a song in the top ten in the United States. He married Cindy, a receptionist 20 years older than him, who believed sticking with him was the key to a comfortable life, and a trip to the Grammy’s.

Shortly after Frank and Cindy married, OXO broke up so the members could pursue solo careers that went nowhere. At the time the film begins, Frank has his first “real” job since he’s been with Cindy, working at a film school, while Cindy is working as a receptionist for what she calls “the most boring job she’s ever had.”

Dreams, Hopes and Regrets

The couple each talk to the camera separately, explaining their hopes, plans and regrets. Frank wants to be a “pillar of the community,” a working, regular man. He has no plans to ever give up music, and wants to one day produce music for newer and younger bands. At the same time, Frank is much more guarded around the camera than Cindy is, and asks repeatedly how much more footage G.J. needs.

As for Cindy, the camera seem to love her as much as she loves it. She’s eager and happy to share her thoughts and feelings with the camera, and holds nothing back. It’s apparent that she has many regrets regarding G.J.’s childhood and her own life, and while she claims many times that she wants to leave Frank, her actions say something different.

This American Life

Frank and Cindy debuted April 12, 2007 on Showtime's "This American Life," the television version of the popular NPR show. The show was titled The Cameraman, and it demonstrated how someone's views can change from being in front of the camera, to being behind it. This was how G.J. Echternkamp's portrayal of his parents came to be. Initially, he intended to make the film as a way to mock his stepfather, but as time went on, both the film and his views of his parents changed.

G.J., Jack of All Trades

G.J. is an actor who lives in Los Angeles, and has been dabbling in directing for quite a while. Besides Frank and Cindy, he directed music videos for the bands Mates of State and Giant Drag, and was one of the producers on the recently released A Necessary Death. As an actor, he's had roles in television's "How I Met Your Mother" and "Getting Away With Murder," and the films Hard Candy and soon-to-be released Foodfight!

Frank and Cindy was recently featured at Arkansas' Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Information on acquiring the film can be received by emailing G.J. at gj@bionicfilms.com.

The copyright of the article Frank and Cindy, A Musical Family Portrait in Documentary Films is owned by Jennifer L Mashuga. Permission to republish Frank and Cindy, A Musical Family Portrait in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.