FRAILTY
(a film review by Mark R. Leeper)
CAPSULE: An intelligent horror film covering some of
the same territory as GOD TOLD ME TO. A Texas father
and his two sons participate in a series of murders
believing they were told to do so by an angel. Star
and director Bill Paxton creates a film that is
atmospheric and unusual. It has no gore, and its
violence is implied but kept (just) off camera.
Rating: 8 (0 to 10), high +2 (-4 to +4)
The topic has eerie resonance in a world wracked with brutality in the name of God and fundamentalist religion. How far should one go if one believes his religion truly calls for murder? Faith is believing in spite of common sense, but if one is willing to abandon common sense what control is there left?
Matthew McConaughey plays a man who walks into an FBI office and tells the agent that he is Fenton Meiks, the brother of the long- sought "God's Hand" murderer. That is, his brother is the current God's Hand murderer. In flashback we are told the original killer was his father, whom we come to know only as "Dad." Dad (Bill Paxton) was a normal loving father of two young sons. Then one night Dad wakes up the children. He has seen an angel and has been given a mission to kill seven "demons." These demons will be masquerading as humans. The angel has given Dad a list, but he will need the help and cooperation of his two sons. The older boy is Fenton (at this age played by Matthew O'Leary) the younger is Adam Meiks (Jeremy Sumpter). Adam immediately believes his father and is thrilled to be "like a superhero." Fenton is more skeptical. He knows killing is wrong and is afraid his father is insane and dangerous. This sets up a great tension between father and son. Fenton knows he cannot stop his father, but wants to do what he can to save his brother from getting involved in the killings. He does this even at the price of incurring his father's self-righteous wrath.
Brent Hanley's first produced screenplay is a powerful one. At times the plotting is a little contrived with coincidences needed to keep things going, and some story line twists telegraph themselves, but generally the writing is powerful. With a surprisingly sure hand for a first-time director, Paxton creates a shadowy noir-ish world. Scenes are intentionally under-lit so that the darkness is oppressive. Beyond that there is a sweaty realism, perhaps reminiscent of the film BADLANDS. Brian Tyler's score at times reminds one of Bernard Herrmann. Three major actors who have been cast as Texans really are Texans--Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, and Powers Boothe are all gen-u-ine Texans which may add a little realism. Unfortunately with three names like that, Matthew O'Leary gets only fourth billing as the young Fenton. If memory serves he has the biggest and most important part in the film. It is worth seeing Paxton in a rule where he gets a chance to act.
The story is told in two parts. The first two-thirds are told mostly in flashback, telling the troubled story of how Dad came to be an avenger for God. In the final third, the story is brought up to date. But most important in the film is the contrast of the two sons as two different types. Adam is a believer. He has faith. Fenton is an empiricist. As much as he wants to believe, he also wants good evidence for his belief. That makes this not just a good horror film, it makes it a serious and questioning film. I rate it an 8 on the 0 to 10 scale and a high +2 on the -4 to +4 scale.
Mark R. Leeper
mleeper@optonline.net
Copyright 2002 Mark R. Leeper
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