Frailty(2001).FBI agent Wesley Doyle is startled by the spontaneous declaration of youngster Fenton Meiks about how his father's delusions to have a divine mission as avenging angel required him and his brother Adam to become his 'demon-slaying' murder accomplices. And how hard an dangerously revolting proved. But when Doyle accepts to be shown concealed victim graves, the plot twists in the present just as gruesomely. Written byKGF Vissers... Synopsis Frailty(2001)
Movie Title: Frailty(2001)
Run Time: 100 min
Rating: 7.3 / 10
Genres: Crime |Drama |Thriller
Release Date: 12 April 2002 (USA)
Director: Bill Paxton
Writer: Brent Hanley... and other credits
Actor: Bill Paxton,Matthew McConaughey,Powers Boothe
It's true that there are more than enough thrillers about serial murderpremise - and Frailty does that brilliantly! Bill Paxton is obviously best known for his acting work (which includes film-stealing performances in films like Aliens and Near Dark), and here he gets to work both in front of and behind the camera as we get a typical Paxton-style show stealing performance, and he directs also. Obviously, this isn't a film that will break any boundaries; but Paxton takes his plot and spins an entertaining and exciting thrill-ride around it. The film opens with a man named Fenton Meiks arriving at a police station. He tells the agent in charge of the 'Gods Hand' case that he knows the identity of the killer that has been terrorising the local community. The film then moves into flashbacks, as we find out that the man's father received a vision from God, in which he was told to destroy demons. The film focuses on the father's two young boys; one of whom believes his father's visions, and one that doesn't...
- and so it's always great when a film comes along and plays with this
If you were to properly analyse the film's message, you would no doubt come to the conclusion that there are many holes and ideas that don't really make a lot of sense. But this isn't important, as Frailty does everything that you could ask of it. The religion theme is well done, and the film provides an interesting perspective where God is concerned. The acting is excellent, with Bill Paxton in a somewhat dumbed down, but no less intriguing role than usual. The support cast includes Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe, both of whom are well used. The real acting comes from child actors Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter; who both manage to star in the film without becoming annoying. The film has many themes outside of the central religious one, the most frightening of which is the corruption of youth. Paxton does a really good job of blending the boys' childhood story with some quite gruesome horror, and while the film does have some failings where some of the central ideas are concerned, it's not too important as Frailty is a well worked thriller that does what it says on the tin!
