The Fall - appreciation thread

sergiotheonly

The Fall is the latest film from Tarsem, the director of 2000’s The Cell – a film which was generally disliked and, apart from its impressive imagery, generally unlikable. The Fall is an altogether different film which manages to take the eccentricities of The Cell’s excessive visuals, tempering them through the lens of a child’s imagination, and creating something truly extraordinary in the process.

The Fall is without a doubt one of the most beautiful films ever made. This is art, pure and simple and if the story manages to come up a little short it is only because the images are so awe-inspiring. Shot in dozens of countries, over more than a year with minimal CG and independently financed by the director it is the kind of film that would not survive inside the studio system. And yet it shows what can be achieved outside of that system. In my opinion, this is the kind of film that should be showing in IMAX’s, not the rampant, vertigo inducing excesses of excrement like Speed Racer.

Instead of a full review I would rather let you drink in the expertly crafted trailer above (please do seek out the hd version here) and do your best to seek it out. In fact I wonder if there is any way to find out if this will be screening in Ireland at all, I've been able to find some dates for the UK but none here. I would gladly pay to see this on the big screen, and it seems to me that a place like the new Lighthouse cinema would be perfect for presentations like this that bridge the gap between film and art.

Praetorian

One of the best films I've seen this year. Watch this film, you will not be disappointed. Extremely unique, beautiful an absolute must see!

Full_Circle

Anyone know when its out here? Cinema or dvd release?

constitutionus

i actually like the cell. the imagry was lush and creative and the story, while a bit sick, wasnt as naff as some of the trash out now.

been looking forward to this one since i seen some pic in empire. will definetly give it a look

nacho libre

I was debating whether to watch this or not recently. I'll definitely check it out now

Jack B. Badd

Full_Circle wrote: »

Anyone know when its out here? Cinema or dvd release?

imdb reckons its October (cinema release I presume). The imagery looks dead impressive. I just hope the storyline/casting/scripting/acting/etc. is better than The Cell's.

L31mr0d

presented by Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich) and David Fincher (Fight Club) and directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell)

You get what you paid for with this one. If you didn't really like any of the movies above you probably won't like this one. It's an oddity because I wouldn't really class it as fantasy, adventure, drama or comedy.

I liked it though, the imagery was excellent throughout but I thought the little girl, Catinca Untaru, stole the show for me. I wonder if she was given a script at all or if she was allowed to ad lib throughout the movie. Any scenes with her in it I couldn't help but smile.

johnny_ultimate

Never heard of this before this thread but definitely looks interesting. Hopefully will get a cinema release - looks like a film that demands the big screen.

opr

Just finished watching this and i really wish it had got a cinema release as i think alot of the films impact was lost by not seeing it on the big screen.

Opr

Basq

Heard about this months ago.. found this on Lee Pace's IMDb page and read an interview with him, and he was raving about it.

Will give it a look this evening.

L31mr0d

Further reading up on this movie does confirm that there was no real set script for the girl, Catinca Untaru. Some of the scenes she is in are pure movie gold and so real I don't think you could of gotten a girl her age to pull them off if she was acting

The scene where she spells out "Morphine" as "Morphin3" was a mistake, but they left it in and re-wrote the following scene so she would get the morphine but only get 3 pills. The girl was also made to believe for the duration of filming that Lee Pace was actually crippled so her acting towards him would be real.

My favorite line from her has to be:

"You always stop at the same part... when it's very beautiful... and interesting."

Maximilian

Great movie on the whole. Amazing imagery and the acting was brilliant. That little girl was so natural. I wasn't mad on the story though; I thought it was a bit weak and the fantasy part a little contrived but maybe that's just me.

I think one day this director will make the next Blade Runner or something. You don't see that kind of visual flair so much these days.

sergiotheonly

constitutionus - don't get me wrong I quite liked The Cell but the whole thing was a little too mean-spirited for its own good. There are moments in The Fall that approach that kind of mysanthropy (particularly towards the end) but the nature of the story and the framing mechanism of the real world and the child keep it from becoming the freakshow that of The Cell.

I do think the little girl was wonderful but I think there is a lot of credit due to Lee Pace as well. His ability to react to her dialogue in a realistic way and (obviously) also nudge her in some directions required by the script is an object lesson in restraint. For a much older actor to help the inexperienced Untaru steal every scene in that way is extremely generous.

Would anyone have any connections which could ensure that this film sees the light of day in an Irish cinema? And preferably not tucked away in a lesser travelled corner of Cineworld. Although, credit where it is due, they do make an effort to show films that would not be given a screening elsewhere.

sergiotheonly

Hey guys

Though I'd prefer a bigger cinema at least we're getting a chance
to see The Fall on the big screen.

Showing at the IFI in Dublin:

Fri - Sat 1.00 6.00pm
Sun 6.00pm
Mon - Thu 1.00 6.00pm

Not many showings either and I wouldnt be that confident it'll be around for more than a week or two, so do your best to check it out.

Even if you know next to nothing about it, I still think you'll enjoy the experience.

MagicMarker

Visually it looks good, but i'll reserve judgement until i watch it myself. I get a funny feeling it will bore the arse off me.

Praetorian

Superb movie. I'll definitely be going to see it. Shame it's on in the IFI though

MagicMarker

Well, i've just finished watching it and all i can say is......... wow.

Such an amazing movie, heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Beautiful imagery and as L31mr0d mentioned, every scene with the little girl just makes you smile.

Just. Wow.

sergiotheonly

Hey MagicMarker did you go see it in the IFI?

Which screen was it in?

Have to admit I wasnt impressed with the sound or the picture
the last time I saw a film there.

johnny_ultimate

I think the main screen is the only digital screen in the IFI (saw Eraserhead there the other night - awesome) so hoping its that one. Will have to get to see this during the week. Really looking foward to it.

johnny_ultimate

Went to see it today. As a visual experience, it really is extraordinary. Some of the setpieces (

the wedding and jump cut, the exploding tree, the horse being lifted with a crane, the death scenes of the adventurers

) are pretty breathtaking. Interesting use of the falling metaphor to tie all the themes together too. Definitely more intelligent than the norm. The kid is a great find though: really great mix of curiosity and innocence gives her a superb presence. Rest of the acting I wasn't so sure on: Lee Pace was excellent in the real-life sequences, but felt he didn't work as well as the bandit.

A few criticisms: sometimes the story does get a bit muddled, and the tone isn't consistent throughout. Some of the more stylised moments come across as a little silly IMO (

the only two that really stand out are the soundtrack echoing the dialogue and the monkey death

). The story on the whole wasn't quite as impressive as the brilliant art design, but it does pick up towards the end when everything begins to gel. The conclusion is definitely enthralling.

But yes as a cinema experience it is pretty unique. Kind of like a cross between an old fashioned adventure and Pan's Labyrinth, but nothing is really comparable to this, especially in visual terms. I didn't necessary love it, but I definitely admire the hell out of it.

bogmanfan

Finally saw this last night. WOW. Stunning film, just so many incredible images in one movie. And the little girl was fantastic. Definitely one of the best movies I've seen in ages.

funkyjebus

One of best movies i've ever seen but didn't expect. Was blown away.