Every once in a while a film comes along that reminds us about the aesthetics and art of movie making. A good film is made of moments, moments in time that imprint on our soul. A good film projects onto the screen and into our consciousness. The Fall succeeds in doing just that, managing to let us experience the possibilities of this unique art.
The Fall is a monumental work in many ways; grand shots, exotic locations, metaphoric grandeur, charming characters, whimsical story, all blending with the most remarkable choice of music that evokes the spirit of the film. An epic and psychological film that employs camera movements that emphasize the film’s lush shots.
Filmed in over18 countries during four years, The Fall is a mystical cinematic experience that leaves us feeling fulfilled from all the fantastical images. Abandoning
a traditional storyline, characters, and computer generated image backgrounds, you are invited into a world of childhood innocent with spectacular scenery, a world where broken heroes and lost loves rule. A world of fantasy bandits, swimming elephants and sumptuous visions.
Once upon a time in a Los Angeles hospital, there was the most delightful 5-year-old girl named Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) who is recouping from a broken arm. One of her fellow patients is a movie stuntman broken in many ways, named Roy Walker (Lee Pace). Roy becomes Alexandria’s friend and takes her on an imaginary journey of five heroes: A black-masked bandit (Lee Pace), a king-like ex-slave (Marcus Wesley), an Indian Sikh warrior (Jeetu Verma), an Italian demolitions specialist (Robin Smith) and Charles Darwin! (Leo Bill). All of the characters are banded together to get their revenge from the nefarious governor Odious (Daniel Caltagirone). With the help of Alexandria’s vivid imagination, the fairy-tale story within the story comes to life as Roy tells the fantastical, witty adventure story.
The director, Tarsem Singh’s style is the epitome of cool and elegant combined with his acute sensitivity to the casting of wonderful actors. Tarsem is an Indian director who began his career directing music videos and commercials. Tarsem’s feature film directorial debut was The Cell (2000). The Fall is his second feature film.
The Fall’s screenplay written by Dan Gilroy, Nico Soultanakis and Tarsem Singh is loosely based on a Bulgarian film titled Yo Ho Ho by Valerie Petrov. At times, it may seems too simple a plot but the film with its competent actors, visionary journey and breathtaking scenes manages to rise above ordinary. At the end, the director also gives us a wonderful tribute to the movies.
“The Fall”
Produced & Directed: Tarsem Singh
Cinematography: Colin Watkinson
Original Music: Krishna Levy
Film Editing: Robert Duffy
Costume Design: Eiko Ishioka
MPAA Rating: R – Run Time: 1hr 57mins – Country Of Origin: USA/India
*****
Weak: 1 Star Average: 2 Stars Good: 3 Stars Very Good: 4 Stars Excellent: 5 Stars