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March 16th, 2006 by Cory Mailliard (Permalink)
Director: Bill Paxton Year: 2001 Add Comments |
While horror films like Wolf Creek, Hostel, and Saw II dominate the American box office, it does one good to remember films like Frailty—films that remind us that horror is more than an excuse for unfettered cinematic nihilism. With hardly a drop of the red stuff, Frailty manages to be both physically and existentially revolting. It’s the best kind of horror movie, is what I’m saying, evoking an intense guttural reaction even while it tickles the brain in ways both pleasant and unpleasant. It seems inexplicable that director and star Bill Paxton (A Simple Plan, Apollo 13, Tombstone) could follow this perfect piece of southern gothic with Disney throw-away The Greatest Game Ever Played.
Set in Texas during the late seventies, Frailty follows the Meiks family. Dad (Bill Paxton), a widower, is raising his two children, Fenton (Matt O’Leary) and Adam (Jeremy Sumpter), by himself. One night, Dad enters the children’s room and tells them that he received a vision—that they have been chosen by God to kill demons, but these demons look just like people. Fenton knows his father has gone insane, but Adam is young enough to believe. Paxton—amazingly assured for his first time behind the camera—and screenwriter Brent Hanley begin with a sharp premise which, for many, would be more than enough to rest an entire film on. But they don’t pull a single punch, choosing instead to explore every difficult question that the situation presents. Frailty is a middle-American powder keg, filled to the brim with disturbing ruminations on religion and free will.
Frailty makes more than a few nods toward Kubrick’s The Shining (alcohol as a catalyst for destruction of the family and Dad’s “magical weapon,” especially). But the films are far from similar and the differences between the two can be found in the differences between Bill Paxton and Jack Nicholson. Nicholson’s screen persona has been tied too closely with his penchant for playing raving maniacs. To watch The Shining is to wait for his inevitable psychotic break. We barely believe him as a loving father or husband. Bill Paxton, on the other hand, has made a career of playing honest (if simple), hardworking men. Dad’s insanity is heartbreaking and its repercussions are deeply felt by the family and the audience. With perfect shorthand, Paxton has us completely invested in the Meiks clan.
The film rests entirely on Paxton’s shoulders—as director and actor—and he handles the burden admirably. A weak framing story is all that keeps Frailty from being perfect in every sense. Let us all hope Paxton returns to form for his next film.
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