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Tristan Holmes, a writer and director, set his dramatic feature The Fragile King against a South African desert. The film centers around Michael, an emotionally distant, sullen 15 year old, who possesses a demeanor beyond his age and chooses to remain quiet. To add to this, he barely expresses his thoughts or feelings. On the other hand, Michael’s mother, Rachel, plays the role of an emotionally detached woman with a softer side for her son that is lost within herself.
Rachel skips work to take Michael out bowling while neglecting her responsibilities. Also, loose with both men and drink, means Rachel embodies a poor work ethic. All of this culminates into a stress-infused upbringing for Michael. After sleeping in their car, Michael decides to venture out with his mother. On the road, the two get into an accident where Rachel dies and Michael’s estranged grandfather Gerald comes to collect him from the hospital.
Gerald seems to be suffering from an unknown disease owing to the unhealthy lifestyle he follows. While Gerald is not the best legal guardian for Michael, he is the only relative that Michael can stay with. From this point, things start shifting, as grandfather and grandson clash, traverse South Africa, and figure out what is best for the boy’s future.
The South African stricken roadside enhances the tale of tragedy that is beautifully represented in The Fragile King. Alongside the burdening tale stands the art of family and relationships. The rich colors that color the sad but unexpected dreamy evening sky on the setting portrays the characters beautifully. The open road that Gerald and his grandson set out on makes for a captivating metaphor for Michael’s future, filled with endless curves, turns and an unknown fate.
The cinematography is superb. Whenever the camera zooms out to show Michael in extreme wide shots, it transports me into a world of loneliness, detached from urban life with sights of buildings dwarfed next to me. Numerous shots are infused with deep blues and cool tones, which is a crucial choice in the overarching visual design and serves to deepen the tragic narrative. At its core, this is a family tragedy but at the same time, a coming of age story. Buckland and Louw’s performances posses tremendous depth and believability to the narrative. Alex de la Ray is fantastic, making Michael both timid and self-assured simultaneously.
So is this film for everyone? Without wanting to reveal too much of the story, yes, there aren’t a lot of feel good scenes. This is a more serious film with a number of personal scenes, but it leaves behind a trace of sadness. However, for those who, like me, prefer films that are intellectually stimulating and do not have cheerful conclusions, The Fragile King is for you.
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