Frailty, 2001

"Frailty" is not for the squeamish, or the faint of heart. It's a menacing story, and it is strong, and it doesn't hide from being incredibly graphic. Except, when the film 'is' graphic, it doesn't do so with gore as much as with the edging emotions that begin to fuse between Fenton, his father, and Adam who believes his dad, and believes that the murders being committed are for the good. The film is also, not afraid to venture into risky territory, as it makes the viewer face religion in terms with superstition, and also reality against mental instability. "Frailty" is daring, and it is brave, and it manages to be so many things in one 99-minute film. From a technical standpoint, "Frailty" is still rich. It has cinematography that is rich with browns and yellows that give an almost Gothic-look to the film's flashbacks. And it also has a way with its lighting, to give off a gritty feeling of control and unease. Young Fenton is trapped in his father's sick world, and he tries his best to break free from it. The musical score is also a strong feature; switching through many emotions from pain to love to hate to death in a matter of seconds, and does it without a hint of being forced. Paxton's direction is astounding, as he pieces together a horror film that is never once, contrived, and is completely alive, and original, however dark and uncomfortable the story and the characters' situations become. "Frailty" is a film easy to overlook, and while its final few minutes seem a little unreasonable, it still doesn't take away how powerful the overall experience is. It's a very well-told story, and it's a very well-made film. "Frailty" is way too powerful to forget and especially in its final moments between the family, in the basement of that shed, Fenton holding that ax, and choosing between what he believes is good, and what he believes is immoral.

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