The Real Story Behind Frankie & Alice: Truth Behind Multiple Personality Disorder

Frankie & Alice, a Canadian drama film from the 2010s, is helmed by director Geoffrey Sax and features the talented American actress Halle Berry in the lead role. While the film received a range of reviews from critics, Berry’s performance was widely acclaimed, earning her a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in the Drama category. Unfortunately, due to limited accessibility, the film remained relatively unknown and inaccessible to the general public.

The filming of this Canadian drama film was finished in the winter of 2008, but its release in domestic theaters didn’t happen until 2014. The film was initially screened on a single screen in Los Angeles as a “qualifying run” for a select audience and award consideration. It wasn’t until later in 2014 that Codeblack Entertainment, a subsidiary of Lionsgate, released the film in domestic theaters.

Let’s uncover the true story behind Frankie & Alice, a drama film centered around a girl named Frankie Murdoch who has experienced multiple personality disorders.

The Real Story Behind Frankie & Alice

Frankie Murdoch, a woman who grew up in 1950s Savannah, Georgia, had a mother who worked as a maid in a southern household. By 1973, their family had relocated to Los Angeles, where Frankie, known as “Short” instead of Francine, had transformed into a highly intelligent and eloquent woman. Despite her impressive skills, she ended up working as a stripper or exotic dancer, becoming one of the most sought-after and highest-paid performers in her establishment. Although she earned a substantial income and could provide for herself, her money mysteriously vanished. This puzzling situation left her family bewildered, as they witnessed Frankie’s occasional outbursts, erratic behavior, and unexplained absences. Unfortunately, Frankie’s severe emotional issues had long been overpowering her life, causing significant distress and confusion.

She is a heavy smoker and drinker. Initially, her frequent blackouts were attributed to excessive alcohol and drug intake. Although she indulges in marijuana and alcohol, her blackouts are unrelated to substance use, which adds to the perplexity. In 1954, not a single psychiatrist in the United States was unaware of this case, including the renowned American psychiatrist, Dr. Cornelia Wilber.

All About Multiple Personality Disorder?

Prior to Frankie, Multiple Personality Disorder was an exceptionally rare condition, with fewer than one hundred reported cases in the entire medical history of the world. However, in 1980, just under ten years later, the American Psychiatric Association formally acknowledged Multiple Personality Disorder as a legitimate disorder. Consequently, the number of diagnosed patients with this disorder skyrocketed into the thousands. Each of these personalities is fully developed and distinct individuals, existing separately within the same individual. It is not uncommon for individuals seeking treatment for depression to unexpectedly discover themselves with Multiple Personalities after consulting a psychiatrist.

Dissociative Identity Disorder, also known as Multiple Personality Disorder, can be categorized into two types: Covert Multiple Personality Disorder and Overt Multiple Personality Disorder. The most prevalent form is Covert Multiple Personality Disorder, characterized by sudden and significant shifts in perception, beliefs, and feelings, as if the patient has transformed into a different person entirely. Individuals with this condition may hear the voice of this alternate personality and feel as though it is communicating with them. Those suffering from Covert Multiple Personality Disorder are typically aware that their experiences are unusual and may feel confused and helpless in trying to comprehend their own behavior and emotions.

However, individuals with Overt Multiple Personality Disorder have a clear recognition of two or more distinct identities. These identities, also known as alters or personalities, exhibit behaviors and speech that diverge significantly from the original person. They can possess dissimilar preferences, political beliefs, and vary in age, gender, or nationality. These distinct identities completely take control of the person’s body and mind, temporarily suppressing any other identities. Those affected by Overt Multiple Personality Disorder are oblivious to these unusual occurrences and may even experience memory loss, as seen in Frankie’s situation.

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