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Amazon.co.uk Review
Steeped in gloomy atmosphere,Frailty locates its horror in the tyranny of religious fanaticism. Making an assured directorial debut, actor Bill Paxton co-stars as a Texas widower who believes God has recruited him to destroy demons in human form. Feeling divinely justified in committing a series of axe murders (discreetly unseen), he urges his two young sons to assist him in the killings--a living nightmare recalled in flashback by one of the now-adult sons (Matthew McConaughey) to the FBI agent (Powers Boothe) who's investigating the murders. But mystery is of secondary importance in Brent Hanley's cleverly twisting screenplay; Frailty suggests, with unsettling subtlety, that Paxton's mission may not be delusional, thus burdening his deadly wrath with spiritually disturbing significance. It's definitely not a feel-good film, but with celebrity endorsements by Stephen King and directors James Cameron and Sam Raimi (who both made films with Paxton), Frailty gets under the skin with insidious efficiency. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Rated: 15 - Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.
Language: Strong.
Sex/Nudity: Some brief references.
Violence: Once strong, some moderate.
Other: Frequent peril and threat.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
'Frailty' didn't do much at the UK box office on it's release - maybe because it was up against M. Night Shyamalan's much-anticipated (and slightly over-rated) 'Signs'. A bit of a shame as this is an excellent and gripping thriller from start to finish. It deals with the FBI's search for a serial killer known as 'God's Hand'. When Fenton Meeks (McConaughey) walks into the FBI's offices claiming he knows the identity of the killer his claims are initially met with scepticism. He relates the story of his motherless family's transformation from an everyday happy unit into one of serial murder. This change is caused when Fenton and his brother Adam are awoken during the night by their father (Paxton) who claims he has been given a mission from God. The mission is to kill demons who are masquerading as human beings. Fenton believes his father has gone raving mad but Adam believes him and a trail of death ensues.
'Frailty' is Bill Paxton's directorial debut and I look forward to seeing what he does next as this is a cracking film that nearly always keeps you guessing. The acting is mostly top-notch with Paxton delivering a fairly low-key performance as the father and McConaughey goes into sombre mode as Fenton. It is also worth noting that the child performances are very good too. There are one or two formulaic moments when certain plot elements and some of the characterisation seem a little obvious but on the whole it all builds up really well toward the final twist. I enjoyed 'Frailty' a lot more than 'Signs' and it seems baffling to me how it didn't do a lot better at the cinema. Still, that's what a bit of hype can do I suppose.
'Frailty' is Bill Paxton's directorial debut and I look forward to seeing what he does next as this is a cracking film that nearly always keeps you guessing. The acting is mostly top-notch with Paxton delivering a fairly low-key performance as the father and McConaughey goes into sombre mode as Fenton. It is also worth noting that the child performances are very good too. There are one or two formulaic moments when certain plot elements and some of the characterisation seem a little obvious but on the whole it all builds up really well toward the final twist. I enjoyed 'Frailty' a lot more than 'Signs' and it seems baffling to me how it didn't do a lot better at the cinema. Still, that's what a bit of hype can do I suppose.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Frailty gets off to an awkward start thanks to excessive narration that tells us what we can see, but once debuting director Bill Paxton gets the confidence to use it more sparingly, his disturbing tale of a family of serial killers/demon slayers becomes much more impressive. What keeps it from descending into pure schlock is that the conflict derives from the fact that this family loves each other and the elder son's dilemma is his powerlessness at stopping his father in his God-given task. What raises it way beyond the family-that-slays-together-stays-together norm is a series of daring last-act plot twists that for once actually turn the film into something much more provoking and morally disturbing. Even the dubiousness of the set-up - would an experienced senior FBI man really accompany the grown-up boy to the scene of the crimes alone? - suddenly makes sense. Strong performances by Matt O'Leary and Matthew McConnaughey (no, seriously, he's very good for once) and a good score by Brian Tyler, one of the few interesting new composers working today, add to the quality.
Sadly, Paramount's R2 DVD comes up very short on the extras, especially compared to the R1 DVD. But it's still worth picking up for the film itself - you won't forget it in a hurry.
Sadly, Paramount's R2 DVD comes up very short on the extras, especially compared to the R1 DVD. But it's still worth picking up for the film itself - you won't forget it in a hurry.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Frailty is the story of a closely knit single-parent family that becomes divided when Dad wakes up his sons to tell them he's had a vision. In it, an angel has explained to him that he is a Demon-slayer; and given him a list of names with which to begin God's Work.
The youngest child is immediately overawed by his dad's new special purpose, and toddles off to help him out; the elder of the children is at first unsure, and then scared when he sees just how literally Dad is taking his vision; and then horrified when he finds himself expected to help.
The main problem for him is what - if anything - can he do about it? Thus begins the desperate test of a young boy in alerting the authorities to Dad's behaviour in the face of the ironic question regarding who might believe his story, over the respected word of his once community-friendly father.
Frailty is an excellent film that boasts an interestingly twisted plot, building up from an average film into a disturbing and interesting film, to one which catches you by completely by surprise at least twice right towards the end.
The acting is also good, notably so from the two boys playing the sons. I was very pleasantly surprised by this film and would recommend it.
The youngest child is immediately overawed by his dad's new special purpose, and toddles off to help him out; the elder of the children is at first unsure, and then scared when he sees just how literally Dad is taking his vision; and then horrified when he finds himself expected to help.
The main problem for him is what - if anything - can he do about it? Thus begins the desperate test of a young boy in alerting the authorities to Dad's behaviour in the face of the ironic question regarding who might believe his story, over the respected word of his once community-friendly father.
Frailty is an excellent film that boasts an interestingly twisted plot, building up from an average film into a disturbing and interesting film, to one which catches you by completely by surprise at least twice right towards the end.
The acting is also good, notably so from the two boys playing the sons. I was very pleasantly surprised by this film and would recommend it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Underrated gem
Well this one pretty much escaped under the radar! Often described as a horror film it is really much more of a psychological thriller which was beautifully and thoughtfully... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Fergus Stewart
All Is Seldom What It Seems
This is a first rate thriller in the film noir style, told, mostly, as a long series of flashbacks. Half the fun is the twists, and I do not want to even hint at these; but they... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Charles Vasey
'FRAILTY' IS A VERY STRONG LITTLE MOVIE
This intriguing sleeper of a movie is well worth your while if you like dark and disturbing dramas with plenty of turns and twists in the plot. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. John K. Bishton
Assured first feature, psychologically scary but does feel rushed.
This is a fine movie, heavily reminiscent of the The Usual Suspects for set-up and dénouement. Bill Paxton is to be commended on producing such an inventive first feature. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sera69
Gods and monsters
Bill Paxton makes his directoral debut and also features in Frailty as the deluded(?) father of two boys who believes he and his young sons have been chosen by God to slay demons... Read more
Published 17 months ago by All of them Witches
A dark and wonderful tale of terror and horror
The plot of 'Frailty' revolves around the story of Fenton Meeks, a man who goes to the FBI with information related to the identity of a serial killer known as the 'God's Hand... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ernie
Outstanding thriller
Fenton Mieks (Matthew McConaughey) goes to the FBI one night and calmly tells the agent (Powers Boothe) that his father and brother were mass murderers known as the "God's Hands... Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2008 by Kona
Flawed, but still well worth seeing
I think Frailty is disturbing and melancholy; not so much creepy as unsettling. The first four fifths of the movie had me on edge and involved. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2007 by C. O. DeRiemer
A breath of fresh air.
Bill Paxton Directs and stars as a father of two young brothers who one night is sent a message by God. He tells his children that God wants him to rid the world of several demons. Read more
Published on 2 July 2007 by Paul Macdonald
Tired and predictable!
I really don't feel it necessary to take nearly 30 lines to review this film. The comments on the DVD's cover made me purchase this and after watching it I cannot believe I saw the... Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2007 by Inmi Opinion
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