A fun-cheesy 2000’s thriller that remains worth the watch.
When you think of Matthew McConaughey’s filmography, 2001’s Frailty is probably not at the top of your mind. This mid-budget psychological thriller never did find its way into the mainstream, and it seems to have faded into relative obscurity since its release. While this is not a perfect movie by any means, it’s crazy and exciting enough to be an enjoyable watch despite its faults.
McConaughey is introduced at the start of the film as Fenton Mieks (top-tier name), a calculated and creepy gentleman who claims he just stole an ambulance that’s carrying his brother’s dead body. Even more, he claims he can prove that his now deceased brother was also the infamous God’s Hand Killer, a lunatic who had ravaged the good residents in these parts of Texas. His counterpart is Agent Wesley Doyle, FBI (Powers Boothe). The bulk of this movie’s narrative takes place over flashbacks during Mieks’ and Doyle’s ensuing conversation.
We are introduced to Fenton and his brother Adam in their early days, all the way back in the summer of 1979. We learn that their mother has passed away, and for about 2 minutes we get a glimpse into their mostly-normal 70’s lives. I do wish they had spent some more time developing the characters here, as the above is really all we learn before the madness begins. Their peaceful lives are abruptly interrupted when their dad (Bill Paxton) is visited by an “angel” (which appears to just be the sun shining real bright on a metal statue), and is told by this heavenly creature that his purpose is to destroy “demons” (people).
This sets us into a head-on spiral into a disturbing chaos, with a middle-aged dad enlisting his two young children to assist him on a killing spree. While things do get pretty dark at times, there are a number of downright goofy scenes peppered in that I found added to the experience overall. Things can get kind of over the top at times, but it’s executed in a way that remains fun to watch if you embrace it. Wacky editing and overly-dramatized production may not be for everyone, but I know some will find it charming.
Frailty as a whole is definitely more hit than miss. The nostalgic, kind of cheesy flashback scenes are juxtaposed well against the more serious arc between Mieks and Doyle. The bulk of the movie does take place in the past though, and I do wish there was more screen time given to the present day exchange. I don’t want to spoil anything major here, but this movie also does have some rapid-fire twists and turns that should keep you thinking after the fact. Overall, this film is enjoyable as a whole. While there aren’t many legitimate frights here, there is a distinct back-and-forth between brutal and silly. If that’s what you’re into (I am), then this movie should be plenty entertaining for you.