MovieChat Forums > Frailty (2002) Discussion > I think most have missed the message of ...

I think most have missed the message of this film

posted 11 years ago by panson1
22 replies | jump to latest

I do believe there is a mis-interpretation of what's really going on here. We are talking about the father and one of the sons (Adam) who possess the psychic ability to read people through touch and/or inspiration. The fact they go off the deep end and believe they have an obligation to kill these people (who are murderers) through divine inspiration could be demon driven in and of itself.

Being a Christian myself, this falls in line with Jesus's prophecy of "beware of those who come in my name and claim my powers". So in effect, the real demons so to speak, could be this family itself. The fact that they are killing "killers" as a claiming of their souls; doesn't them make them God driven or righteous as many are led to believe.

Many of the so called Christian right today are those to be "feared" in that they proposed diametrically opposed values that God taught: Love, forgiveness, compassion for the poor and less fortunate,and above all sharing and espousing Christian values.

I think is what this film is trying to say. Beware of those who preach death and judge others when clearly God is the only judge, and not men of individual's sins.

Just my take.

[–] clashwho 11 years ago

The problems with the video recordings suggest there's something more going on than just psychic ability.

"All this machine does is swim, and eat, and make little sharks." -- Matt Hooper, JAWS

[–] Theshornwonder 9 years ago

Not really. Who's to say a demon or the devil can't distort video or tamper with memories?

[–] ninjastark5 10 years ago

I absolutely agree with clashwho above that your 'psychic' interpretation does not account for the distorted video tape or the fact that that none of the officers could remember Adam's face.

In this MOVIE, Adam and his father were carrying out the orders of a higher power that took exception to the fact that some people (or demons) got away with committing horrible atrocities. Again, this is a fictional MOVIE, not a documentary.

Why must people feel the need to make even fictional works conform to their religious beliefs? Just enjoy it for what it is - the product of someone's creative imagination.

[–] tph890 10 years ago

Yes, you have to accept the story as presented. But when dealing with subject matter such as this, of course people are going to bring their own ideologies to the table. There's nothing wrong with that. Art speaks differently to everyone.
But I disagree with OP's view. Because, IMO, this movie isn't a 'christian' film, or really even a 'religious' film. It's about good and evil (through the vein of Christianity), especially the corrupting power of evil, and argues that evil and good must co-exist in this world of ours.
The father was 'chosen' to carry out a form of 'cosmic justice', if you will. But he still loved his son, and tried to save his soul even though some higher power TOLD him that his son was a 'demon'. And in trying to save said son, Father actually drives the son into madness, thus creating the demon that the 'higher power' warned him of in the first place.
Self-fulfilling prophecy...everything is pre-ordained...yada yada. (hmm, maybe it is a christian film...)
A very tragic story, depicting cause and effect in matters of faith.
Might cause one to question their own 'faith'.

This is just my take on the film, based on my own ideologies.

"Buy the ticket, take the ride." --Raoul Duke, the great shark hunter

[–] ninjastark5 10 years ago

I agree with you that everyone is entitled to they're own interpretation. I just thought it was pretty bold of the OP to start off a post with the assertion "I think most have missed the message of this film" and then present a viewpoint that seems to be helped by the fact that it "falls in line with Jesus's prophecy".

For my (biased) 2 cents I would say that I don't think any character in this movie is portrayed in a flattering or glamorous light - it has people doing things which, in their outward appearance, are abhorrent. In this movie, the line between good and evil seems to be extremely fine and depends not so much on actions but on motives. That's what I "think" about the movie but I wouldn't claim that this is the message of the film and that most people don't get it.

[–] dolores_medina 10 years ago

Being a Christian myself, this falls in line with Jesus's prophecy of "beware of those who come in my name and claim my powers". So in effect, the real demons so to speak, could be this family itself.

Nothing of the sort can be inferred about the fact that the family kills in the name of God.

Even in the Old testament The nation of Israel killed in the name of God.
Was the nation of Israel a demonic nation?

The nation of Israel was told by God, to have no mercy on some towns, and to kill everyone in it, and take no prisoners. To kill all men, women and children. Was this Instruction given to the nation of Israel by a demon pretending to be God?

I think one of the messages of the film is that God doesn't obey the laws of nations but is above those laws.

I think the reason many today have a problem with what Paxton and family did " in the name of God" is that they are used to an ineffective God, that doesn't interfere with what actually happens in the world.

He is Omnipotent, and Omniscient, he is Omnipresent. He knows all, and can do everything, but if he chooses to interfere it better be in ways WE define as Godly. We want God to be in OUR image, Instead of trully wishing to be in HIS.

The Movie says that Paxton and Family were told by God to slaughter demons. The fact is, God has behaved In this way in the very Bible we call his book. The Good Book.

But the fact that The God in this movie does not conform to the God, many of the people today claim to believe in, suddenly makes That God somehow demonic?

Is the God that ordered the Israelites to slaughter men, women and children a demon?

And before anyone says " that was then, this is now. Times have changed."

We need to remember God has not. if it was alright with God in his book, it is alright with him today.

"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." Malachi 3:6.

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." Psalm 90:2

I think we are most comfortable with a God that interfered In the Biblical past. Nice, safe and distant, doesn't affect our day to day. We want God as far away from us and our plans as possible, we just want him to bless our plans, conform to OUR views of what is godly...and be there for us when we finally die. We want a God that is " spiritual" and Our prayers show it. We don't pray for God to become directly involved and take control of our lives. We pray for the STRENGTH... to do what we want to do, and then ask for his BLESSING on our wishes.

How is this in any way, shape or form a God worth obeying and following?

This is Super-Santa Claus. I say this as a believer. This is Not the God of the Bible, this is the God of Macy's and Best-buy.

" Oh Lord give me the strength to get a new plasma TV"

We believe in a God that would take sides on a football game. BOTH sides of the game pray to God for victory ...in a football game.

" Oh Lord Give our quarterback, a strong and sure arm... make ourr defensive line HOLD against the attack of the other team!"

This is a very very small ineffective God. No wonder the atheists don't believe.

[–] akademic78 9 years ago

Wow man, your post is deep and makes me think.

[–] Theshornwonder 9 years ago

Well you're relying on basically an Old Testament God. The New Testament portrays a very different God and in Christian theology supersedes the Old Testament version. So, it's not that Israel was following a demon and not God, it's that God changed.

[–] Kevinology_Rises 8 years ago

Doesn't Jesus say that not one iota of the OT should be ignored, and that he came to earth to fulfill it, not supersede it?

"I have no idea what "hammer time" is. Or how it differs from regular time."

[–] FirstBlood1982 8 years ago

It's not a "different God," it's a different time because of how things were before Christ (when there were many ceremonial and ritual laws) and after Christ...the OT also chronicles a time when Israel was being violently attacked by most of the outside world and hence Israel needed to defend itself against enemy nations to ensure Christ's birth later on.

+++by His wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5+++

[–] Milkyway123 10 years ago

by panson1

I do believe there is a mis-interpretation of what's really going on here
Being a Christian myself

You do understand that you are biased here and therefor you are the one who have truly misinterpreted what's going on?

[–] Theshornwonder 9 years ago

Everyone is biased when it comes to religion.

[–] Chipmaniac 9 years ago

[–] Theshornwonder 9 years ago

Yes.

[–] FirstBlood1982 9 years ago

The writer outright states on the commentary that the father was right, this was divinely inspired and they truly were killing demons.

Your interpretation is interesting, someone may view the film that way if they prefer (although as mentioned, I think there aspects of the story that this interpretation doesn't account for at all), but it was not what the creator of the story intended.

+++by His wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5+++

[–] fiatlux-1 9 years ago

Exactly.
The film is not designed to be open to interpretation, really.
The ending reveals everything. The victims WERE demons. The father was NOT crazy.
Fenton was a demon, and the father denied it to himself until it was too late.

God was clearly aiding them as well, as He blurred the tape & erased memories from the cops' minds.
Adam clearly has the ability to detect good as well as evil in other humans, shown when he shakes the hand of the FBI man at the very end & says "You're a good man, Agent."
The agent looks at him curiously & a little fascinated, likely sensing something *unusual* is going on.

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

[–] DenverBrian 9 years ago

So in this movie, God is powerful enough to mess with videotapes and ERASE ACTUAL MEMORIES from within the brains of people...but he/she needs humans to actually kill the demons?

Why not just induce a heart attack or a brain aneurysm or a stroke in the "demons?"

Plot holes big enough to drive a fleet of trucks through.

[–] Chipmaniac 9 years ago

Humans acting as agents of a deity is right in line with much religious theology. It's hokum, but it's there. The movie just portrays a situation where it's not hokum and challenges you to decide how you feel about that.

[–] FirstBlood1982 8 years ago

'So in this movie, God is powerful enough to mess with videotapes and ERASE ACTUAL MEMORIES from within the brains of people...but he/she needs humans to actually kill the demons?

Why not just induce a heart attack or a brain aneurysm or a stroke in the "demons?"

Plot holes big enough to drive a fleet of trucks through.'

He didn't 'need' them, He was giving them a choice to obey Him or not. It was a purpose given to who He selected to give it to. It doesn't matter if that's what you'd do if you had the power and authority (which you don't) or if you like/agree with it or not.
He doesn't have to use us to fulfill His purposes, but we should feel a sense of privilege if He decides to. We certainly don't have anything more important to do with our lives than serve our divine creator.

+++by His wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5+++

[–] Theshornwonder 9 years ago

Who says demons can't mess with video and memory?

[–] Theshornwonder 9 years ago

Art, once released is always open to different interpretations and really the "meaning" of it no longer belongs to the artist. This is a generally accepted proposition. What the writer says after the film comes out is simply his intention and interpretation. But the film can validly be interpreted differently.

[–] vfx_girl 8 years ago

Interesting, I thought the same thing.