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
Aye, eye candy - shandji
The opening sequence is very effective and memorable. The variety and beauty of the film locations are exceptional. A lot of work went into making this pretty film. However I felt that some aspects of the story and characters seemed pointless. This could be accounted for since the story was being told to a child, and the child was also adding details to it. Still, that fact doesn't really contribute to the enjoyment of the film.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 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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Aye, eye candy - shandji
The opening sequence is very effective and memorable. The variety and beauty of the film locations are exceptional. A lot of work went into making this pretty film. However I felt that some aspects of the story and characters seemed pointless. This could be ...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"; ...