Frailty 4K 2001

Bill Paxton's film Frailty leaves a highly contradictory impression. So contradictory that, despite the fact that this review is negative, I will list its merits more than once and ultimately give it a high score.

The film is really very good. The truly professional performances make it very emotional and powerful. Despite the fact that the plot is quite long, monotonous, and develops gradually, the film immediately draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The conflict between faith and disbelief, the confrontation between father and son, is performed at the highest level—here, credit must be given not only to the actors and director, but also to the rest of the team, from the cinematographer to the makeup artist. This is a truly powerful thriller that deserves the highest praise. However, I cannot bring myself to give it the highest score.

The problem is that, in addition to the images, conflicts, and characters, every film has a certain message. Art is art precisely because it shows us “what is good and what is bad.” And despite the fact that the main character stubbornly shows us “what is bad,” the director turns this idea on its head and asserts that in fact, it is “good.” It is precisely this confidence that the main character's actions are justified by his deep faith in God, precisely this aspect that he never once doubted that the order to kill was sent by God himself, and not by the forces of darkness, and in addition, the cruelty and fanatical obsession with which he carries out “divine” justice, sincerely frightens me. In my opinion, this message is not only deeply wrong, but also extremely dangerous. I am seriously concerned for particularly impressionable people who may interpret this film as a guide to action, buy an OTIS axe, and set out to chop down all the sinners, of whom there are many on earth. Of course, I am exaggerating now, but the film is really impressive...

I will be honest and give the film the rating it deserves. The film is brilliantly shot, conveying all the tension of the characters and clearly outlining the problem of the situation. From an artistic point of view, it is truly a masterpiece; from a genre point of view, it is one of the best thrillers; from a meaning point of view, it is a controversial and extremely dangerous concept of earthly punishment in the name of God. And if it weren't for the ending of the film, which turned the whole original meaning of the situation upside down, I would have given it a 10, and it would have been highlighted among my favorite films.