I'm really starting to get sick of the Regal South Beach Cinema on Lincoln Road (a theater in Miami Beach, for those of you who don't know that I'm a Miami boy). There's a point in "Frailty," towards the end, where there's a big twist. Unfortunately, during the big twist, the projector got all screwy so that the top half of the screen was showing what shoulda been at the bottom half and vice versa. This isn't the first, second, or even the third time that something has gone wrong with the projection in that theater. Am I just cursed? It seems like whenever I watch a movie, especially in that theater, the chances of me seeing a movie projected the way it should be projected is 50/50. It's outta focus, the audio is outta synch with the image, half the image is on the wall rather than the screen... it's always something. When are theater owners and managers gonna exercise a little competence? Don't they give a shit anymore? Am I the only one who cares about seeing a movie the way it should be seen? My God, even if I'm in a theater free of crowds, assholes talking loudly, or using their cell phones, then I gotta worry about the theater projecting the movie properly? So frustrating!
Anyway...
"Frailty" is a movie that requires that you know as little as possible about it in order to truly enjoy it. I was one of those lucky people who saw it knowing little about the actual story. There are twists and turns, and there are plenty of assholes out there who take pleasure in spoiling a movie's surprises, so I urge you to avoid those idiots if you plan on seeing this movie. This is a movie that I enjoyed, but it's a little strange. At times, it seems to be comical, almost absurd, because of the things the father says to his children. But there are also times when it goes really deep into a kinda darkness that few movies would ever consider going to. "Frailty" truly is a disturbing movie.
My Webster's II New Riverside Dictionary (which I keep within reach whenever I'm working on this web site... I needed the dictionary when making sure that I used the word "competence" properly in the first paragraph) lists the word "frailty" as "the quality or state of being frail" and "fault caused by moral weakness." Pretty vague definition if you ask me, and it's a vague title to this movie. I guess "God's Hands" was too controversial.
This movie was directed by Bill Paxton (who also stars in the film), and I think that's pretty interesting. You are all no doubt familiar with Bill Paxton's work as an actor. He starred in "Twister" and he was in many of James Cameron's movies, including "The Terminator," "Aliens," "True Lies," and "Titanic." I remember him way back in "Weird Science" as "Chet," the bullying older brother of "Wyatt." Well, this is his feature film debut as a director, but those of you in my generation have probably seen his work as a director elsewhere. Bill Paxton directed, wrote, and produced the very silly short film/music video "Fish Heads," which aired on "Saturday Night Live" in the mid-70s (though it's been showed all over the place). I'm sure you've heard the song, a staple on the "Doctor Demento" show. It went like this:
"Fish
heads, fish heads
Roly poly fish heads.
Fish heads, fish heads
Eat them up. Yum!"
Recognize that? If not, I just wasted your time. Sorry 'bout that.
Bill Paxton's work as a director is very good. He directed a very creepy, eerie movie that has lots of death, but he doesn't actually show a lot of the violence. He could have, but didn't. It was unnecessary, and I guess he knew that. Then again, the movie is pretty damn twisted already, the violence wouldn't have added much to the movie anyway.
The screenplay was written by a new guy named Brent Hanley. This is his debut, and what an impressive debut it is! I really look forward to future work from this guy, he's a gifted writer.
There aren't any huge names in the cast, but it seems like Bill had to bring along some friends. I guess the star of the movie, along with Bill Paxton, would be Matthew McConaughey, who was with Bill Paxton in "U-571." He also starred in "EdTV," "A Time to Kill," and co-starred with Jodie Foster in the great movie, "Contact." Most importantly, however, is that his feature film debut was in the great movie, "Dazed and Confused," where he delivered the best lines in the movie, including my favorite, "That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age. Yes they do." Matthew McConaughey always seemed a little too redneck to me, like a redneck trapped in a pretty boy body. In this movie, though, he's perfect. He's well cast, and his acting is dead-on. He was great. Finally, there's Powers Boothe, who was with Bill Paxton in "Tombstone." He's also very good in the movie. All three are Texans, and I doubt that's a coincidence. There are two kids in the movie, and they're played by Matthew O'Leary (he played John Travolta's son in "Domestic Disturbance") and Jeremy Sumpter (feature film debut). Like the adults, they're very good.
I really like "Frailty" a lot. It's different, and it was pretty risky to make a movie like this, but I'm glad someone did. The ending will probably be debated for a while, but I understood it. When the closing credits are rolling, you're left thinking about what you've just seen. It takes a few moments for the pieces to fall into place in your head, but when it does, it all makes sense. "Frailty" is a solid movie. It's well-acted, well-directed, and it's a great story. Congratulations to all those involved, especially Bill Paxton, who finally found a project that allowed him to live up to the expectations he created after making "Fish Heads."
Scale of 1-10: 9