FRAILTY
Released: April 12, 2002
This is a twisted and brutal movie. Or, rather, I should clarify, the SUBJECT MATTER is twisted and brutal. But the movie itself is very good! Sitting in the director's chair for the first time (at least for a major feature) is actor Bill Paxton. Paxton has been in many James Cameron movies such as "Aliens", The Terminator", "True Lies" and "Titanic". He's also played varied roles in such movies as "Twister", "A Simple Plan", "Near Dark", "U-571" and "Apollo 13". He is clearly a good actor yet hasn't been given his share share of critical pats on the back that he deserves. So now he turns to directing. And who would have expected his directorial debut to be so twisted and brutal?? Certainly not me! This movie begins with Paxton playing a single Dad who seemingly is responsible and loving. Almost immediately as we watch this film we are asked to accept the fact Paxton has been visited by angels who ask him to destroy demons who live in human form. This once gentle Dad of two young boys is now a certified loon but since the kids can't seem to run away or convince the Police of this fact they are caught in the destructive path of their Father. Matthew McConaughey plays one of his sons as a grown man, and Powers Boothe is the FBI agent who is investigating the "God's Hand" serial murders in Texas when the son comes to him one night, with the body of his brother parked outside in a stolen ambulance. Through a series of flashbacks, we are shown how Paxton literally forces his children to help him as he kills people from a mysterious list the "angel" gives him. One of the kids, Adam, is too young to question his Dad so he goes along with it, buying into the whole grand scheme. The older Son, Fenton (McConaughey) tries to go against Paxton and often pays for his decision. To go further into the story would give away too much I think. It's best you just go see this movie. Be reminded, this IS a twisted and brutal film! Much of the violence occurs off-screen but still, it is not for the faint of heart. Props go out to Paxton for tackling such a demanding film as his first directed feature. McConaughey does a good job as the adult Fenton as do the two kids, put to task of playing in the midst of such horrific plot and played by Matthew O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter. This is a smart and effective thriller. That it comes as the first film by an actor turned director is all the more impressive. I will look forward to the next film from director Bill Paxton.