Bill Paxton, credited simply as “Dad”
Frailty
Directed by Bill Paxton
Starring Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe
Review by Jordan
Enthusiastically praised upon release by such notaries as James Cameron (Aliens), Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, A Simple Plan) and Stephen King, Bill Paxton’s directorial debut Frailty, about a grown son (McConaughey) recounting the the events that lead to his father (Paxton) becoming the still unidentified “God’s Hand killer” to faithless FBI Agent Wesley Doyle (Powers Boothe), is a dark, unflinching and supremely crafted thriller about the weakness of man and our inherent, and horrific violent nature.
Told mostly in flashbacks, in a style immediately reminiscent of The Usual Suspects (1995), we are introduced to the imminently likable Meiks family, consisting of a caring father and his two sons, 12 year old Fenton (Matt O’Leary) and 9 year old Adam (Jeremy Sumpter), whose lives are rocked when God visits the father in a vision, informing him of the upcoming Apocalypse and that is the duty of him and his family to help rid the world of Demons masquerading as ordinary humans. Soon after this vision, “Dad Meiks” is provided with the 3 chosen weapons to assist in his calling, and when at work at the local mechanics an Angel appears unto him with a list containing the first of the “Demons” to be dispatched… it’s not murdering, he explains to his sons, it’s only murder if you kill a human being.
While McConaughey, Boothe, O’Leary and Sumpter all provide exquisite performances, this is truly Paxton’s show. His direction allows the story to live and breathe on its own accord, without ever casting judgment or resorting to tricks to conjure thrills, and his acting is in a class of its own; inhabiting a father with a deep love for his sons both before and after his mission begins. Simple scenes in which he puts them to bed, drives them to school and sits down for dinner with them emit a realistic and warm feel, which of course makes the latter proceeding that much more troubling and heart-wrenching to endure.
Commonly (and possibly mistakenly) placed in the horror genre, Frailty doesn’t provide any scares that will cause you to jolt in your seat or scream out loud, the fear is far more memorable than that. The terrifying reality about serial killers is that a lot believe the monstrous acts they perform are warranted, justified, that they kill for a reason beyond the realm of the common person’s understanding. Is this a film that supports this notion? Or one in which supernatural forces really are at play? You decide for yourself…
4.5 beams of light out of 5
I had totally forgotten about this film, thanks for the reminder. I must watch this again!
Definitely watch it again if you get a chance! With McConaughey on such a roll it’s interesting to take a look back at his early performances.
Jordan
Especially as it isn’t a rom-com!
Haven’t ever seen this one. You kind of make me want to change that.
Yeah I certainly recommend it mate. Just a superbly acted, captivating thriller.
Jordan
Greta review! This is such a fantastic film. It left me feeling disturbed and sad, like you said, largely because of Paxton’s portrayal. Overall, I found it resonated more strongly than any simple scares or gore could.
Cheers Jenna! Well said. I gained a whole new level of respect for Paxton after seeing this.
Jordan
Truly a classic of a film. I’d completely forgotten that Paxton had directed it as well. I’ve been meaning to re-watch this. Now I shall. Thanks for reminding me.
Not a problem man. Paxton really outdid himself with this one, his performance is good enough in itself, but the directing is simply sublime.
Jordan
Back I’m a time when the word McConassance had yet to be invented. This was before most of the rom com stuff wasn’t it? Good film.
Yeah indeed it was. It’s a bit of a shame it took him so long after this to start picking great roles again!
Jordan
Like others have said before me, you really make me want to see this, so good job to you on that! 😉
Haha, well I hope you enjoy it if you do!
Jordan
I totally love Frailty. But I think it had one twist too many. Other than that it’s brilliant
I can see what you mean there, but given the care gone into weaving the narrative up to that point I was happy to go along with it.
Plus I’m never opposed to Powers Boothe having more screen time.
Jordan
Yes. Any film with Powers Boothe I’m down for.
Never seen this, guess it’d be rude not to check it out given we’re going through a McConaissance! Great review Jordan.
Adam.
Cheers Adam. It’s definitely a good time to track it down! Needless to say he looks a lot different here than in Dallas Buyers Club…
Jordan
Good flashback. I really liked the surprise ending.
It’s not one you see coming is it? But it definitely makes a lot of sense.
Jordan
Yes I love movie endings with a good twist. Not all of them work, but Frailty did it so well.
Great review. Frailty is one of my favorites.
Certainly a good favourite to have! Love your website btw.
Cheers, Jordan
Thanks, It’s still a bit of a work in progress but it’s getting there.
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Never heard of this but it sounds fascinating.
Absolutely it is. Give it a go if you get the chance!
Jordan
It sounds really interesting! I’ll definitely give it a go, you’ve never disappointed me! 😉 The cast seems really promising, so it’s hard to go wrong.
Ha, well in that case I’m scared to recommend anything in case I break that record.. though I do think this one would be hard to dislike, its just too good.
Jordan
LOVE this movie. It seems to have flown under many people’s radars and that is really a shame. I haven’t watched it in a while. I’ll have to pull out my DVD to revisit it.
You are right though. It’s definitely not a horror movie. You could probably classify it as a thriller if you feel the need to classify it but “thriller” seems to be the dumping ground for every movie that isn’t quite a horror movie or isn’t quite an action movie or isn’t quite ________ (fill in the blank).
Very true, for some reason it seems to be a title that pops up in bargain bins as opposed to being remastered on blu-ray and placed on display.
Ha, yeah thriller does kind of make sense… but I also agree that its too broad. Perhaps then, it is simply a cult film.
Jordan
Though I’m not sure Frailty NEEDS a HD remaster.
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A sinfully underrated film. Paxton is so incredibly mad (or is he?) and believable! He is so good at these ‘normal’ type people who are thrown into extraordinary situations (“A Simple Plan” springs immediately into mind). You kinda forget the McConaughey character has walked into the police station at the beginning to tell the story, simply due to Paxton’s overwhelming performance. And all these ‘Demons’ that he kills, all pretty much deserve it……..well, no one deserves it (or do they?)!
Great film……great review……..thanks guys!