This slow-paced thriller, which boasts an interesting final twist, has been labeled anti-religious by some, including film critic and self-proclaimed “cultural crusader” Michael Medved. The movie is intended to serve as a modern retelling of the story of Abraham and Isaac. In the Bible, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, and Abraham obeyed, his hand stayed from the deadly blow by God. Frailty, however, follows a hypothetical tangent, causing the audience to ponder: What if Abraham had refused to obey?
While some religious viewers will find this a thought-provoking question respectfully treated, others will conclude that Frailty, whether intentionally or unintentionally, presents a deceptive picture of Judeo-Christian faith by misrepresenting what it means, from a religious standpoint, to battle with principalities and powers.
Running Time: 99 minutes. 2002. Rated R (violence, language).
O
This modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Othello was billed as “the most controversial movie of the year.” Its controversy probably did not stem primarily from the teen sex and drug abuse depicted in the film (common enough occurrences in R rated movies), but from the fact that school kids and a shooting were coupled in the movie. In the wake of Columbine, this was sure to generate accusations of irresponsibility. However, it may reasonably be argued that these murderous events are absolutely essential to the plot which is, after all, Shakespeare's.
As a contemporary adaptation of a classic play, “O” succeeds, even if it is at times a bit too disturbing. The story is revised to fit into the framework of modern preparatory school life, with our Othello, Odin James (Mekhi Phifer) as a basketball player rather than a general. Julia Stiles plays Desi and Josh Hartnett turns in a fine performance as Hugo (the equivalent of Shakespeare’s Iago). Hartnett’s character is given more substance and attention than the Iago of Shakespeare's play.
I would recommend this movie for adults interested in modern adaptations of Shakespeare's plays; however, I would not recommend it for a general high school audience, firstly because of the "adult" content (sex, drugs, swearing) and secondly because most high school students are not yet mature enough to appreciate its thematic intensity and purpose.
Running Time: 94 Minutes. 2001. Rated R (sex, violence, language).