Indie Gems: Frailty

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Do you do everything your daddy says?
 
Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaughey) is telling FBI agent Wesley Doyle (Powers  Booth) about how his father (Bill Paxton) was "asked by God" to commit murders when he was a child. The people he was killing were "demons" and he forced Fenton and his brother to help him cover it all up.
 
I had actually never heard of this film until just recently when it was on IFC. I have to say, all of the actors give fine performances, especially the young actors. (Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter) But what I like most about this film is that it actually goes there, so to speak. I don't want to spoil anything, because there's plenty of turns along the way, but Paxton (who also directs) and writer Brent Henley really do have balls the size of church bells when it came to this movie. I did not expect it to end the way it did.
 
Stay away from spoilers and watch this if you get the chance. It's definitely worth your time.
 
Grade: A
 
Memorable Quote: "Don't cry for her son, she wasn't human." Dad (Bill Paxton)

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 3, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    Isn't the cover of this DVD have Paxton holding an ax over like a tree stump in the rain or something like that? I swear I saw this all the time back in 2003 or so while walking through my local Blockbuster, you know, back before I got Netflix and actually had to leave my house to rent movies. I never rented it, but the cover always caught my eye. Then I saw McConaughey's name and decided to pass.

    I may actually have to watch this now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 3, 2013 at 11:14 AM

      I'm not sure? I've never seen the DVD either, I caught it on IFC. McConaughey's name means so much more to me now than it did a few years ago. I would've skipped it too back then.

      Delete
  2. s.May 3, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    I saw this move last Halloween and I quite enjoyed it, I wouldn't rate it so highly but it was a good thriller.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 3, 2013 at 11:14 AM

      I rated it high because I was just so surprised how much I liked it. Indeed, a very good thriller.

      Delete
  3. JoshMay 3, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    Woah. I've heard mostly good things, but I haven't seen such a high rating. I really need to watch this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 9, 2013 at 9:16 PM

      I just really loved this. I wasn't expecting anything at all and was just pleasantly surprised.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 5, 2013 at 1:03 AM

    I'd never heard of this movie before, and it sounds like something I'd enjoy. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alex WithrowMay 7, 2013 at 1:14 PM

    Yes! I love reading praise for this film. I've always enjoyed the hell out of this movie - Paxton and Co. did solid work here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 9, 2013 at 9:17 PM

      I didn't realize he had directed it either until I started writing my review. I really have more respect for Paxton's work after this.

      Delete

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