The Fall
"Magnificent" -Roger Ebert
From the director of The Cell comes a visually stunning epic fantasy about a bedridden man who entertains a curious little girl by telling her a fantastical story of exotic heroes and far off places which reflects his state of mind. The central story takes place in a remote 1920's hospital where a small girl named Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) is recovering from a severe looking shoulder injury incurred in a fall while trying to pick oranges. One day she happens to meet Roy (Lee Pace) - a stunt or "gag" man for the "flickers" or moving pictures - who seems to have injured himself out of a future in a particularly reckless stunt, even for those times. He is a clearly unhappy man who - through his own carelessness - unwittingly leads Alexandria to believe that he intends to entertain her with a lavish, epic story of exotic heroes and far off places. As the stuntman's health reaches to the point of peril - so does the story he is telling her... with potentially fatal consequences.
Member Reviews
Watched it twice! - carsjam
This film is a mash-up of Cinema Paradiso, the English Patient, with elements of films by Terry Gilliam, Stanley Kubrick and Godfrey Regio (Koyaanisquatsi).
Stunning locations and livid cinematography are alone worth seeing this movie for.
The soundtrack (including Beethoven's 7th) really sets a mood, the performance of the 6 year-old lead is astounding.
The 1st time through, I found it somewhat uneven at the beginning, but was so mesmerized by the end that I watched it again the next evening. I was so captivated the 2nd time through that I watched the 2 30-min behind the scenes documentaries about the film that were also quite good and added to my respect and appreciation for the work.
J Carson
OttawaSpellbinding - Max905
I wish movies like this one were not as rare as they are. The movie -- both in the "real" world and the fable -- feels like you are in someone else's dream. There is not a poor performance to be found. The cinematography is gorgeous: lush colours in the dream world and a sepia-style wash in the real world. But, above all, it is the two stories that put this movie into the 5-star category. The premise is simple in each (no spoilers), but the moral is denser than standard Hollywood fare.
Highly recommended if you liked Big Fish.Eye Candy - Myself
This is a unique, creative film, visually stunning and emotionally satisfying. It does a lovely job blending fantasy and reality, and drawing one in to the plight of the characters, both those who are real and those who are the products of good "storytelling"; so, it becomes hard to know which is the plot and which is the subplot. The child is great; so unusual in that she is natural and spontaneous, not some "plastic" Hollywood creation. But, Lee Pace's performance was wonderful as well; he was so changeable; the "broken" stunt man in "real life" and the Hero in his stories. A compelling, rewarding film that leaves an impression long after the credits are done.
Member Reviews
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Watched it twice! - carsjam
This film is a mash-up of Cinema Paradiso, the English Patient, with elements of films by Terry Gilliam, Stanley Kubrick and Godfrey Regio (Koyaanisquatsi).
Stunning locations and livid cinematography are alone worth seeing this movie for.
The ...Spellbinding - Max905
I wish movies like this one were not as rare as they are. The movie -- both in the "real" world and the fable -- feels like you are in someone else's dream. There is not a poor performance to be found. The cinematography is gorgeous: lush colours in the dream ...Eye Candy - Myself
This is a unique, creative film, visually stunning and emotionally satisfying. It does a lovely job blending fantasy and reality, and drawing one in to the plight of the characters, both those who are real and those who are the products of good "storytelling"; ...