The Fall (2006)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Tarsem Singh

Writers (WGA):

Dan Gilroy (screenplay) and
Nico Soultanakis (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 May 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

A Little Blessing In Disguise.

Plot:

In a hospital on the outskirts of 1920s Los Angeles, an injured stuntman begins to tell a fellow patient, a little girl with a broken arm, a fantastical story about 5 mythical heroes. Thanks to his fractured state of mind and her vivid imagination, the line between fiction and reality starts to blur as the tale advances.

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Quest | Indian | Governor | 1920s

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Catinca Untaru	...	Alexandria
Justine Waddell	...	Nurse Evelyn / Sister Evelyn
Lee Pace	...	Roy Walker / Blue Bandit
Kim Uylenbroek	...	Doctor / Alexander the Great
Aiden Lithgow	...	Alexander's Messenger
Sean Gilder	...	Walt Purdy
Ronald France	...	Otto
Andrew Roussouw	...	Mr. Sabatini
Michael Huff	...	Dr. Whitaker
Grant Swanby	...	Father Augustine
Emil Hostina	...	Alexandria's Father / Bandit
Robin Smith	...	Luigi / One Legged Actor
Jeetu Verma	...	Indian / Orange Picker
Leo Bill	...	Darwin / Orderly
Marcus Wesley	...	Otta Benga / Ice Delivery Man

MPAA:

Rated R for some violent images.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

India | UK | USA

Language:

English | Romanian

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | USA:R | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario/Saskatchewan) | Canada:G (Quebec) | UK:15 (cut) | Finland:K-13 | South Korea:12 | Germany:12 | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Company:

Absolute Entertainment (II)

Trivia:

The magic word "Googly" that Alexandria repeats in the movie is also the name of the production company.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where the Indian is swimming toward the island, the bandage on his leg switches from one leg to the other and back again.

Quotes:

Blue Bandit: [dying] You must be strong.
Alexandria: [as herself and the Bandit's daughter] Not the time to sleep, now. Not the time to sleep. Wake up. Wake up, its not the time to sleep now. Wake up. Don't pretend to sleep. Wake up. Laugh-laugh. Not the time to sleep.

Movie Connections:

References Baraka (1992)

Soundtrack:

Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, II. Allegretto

Remarkable

If you have not seen, or in fact, heard, of this movie, let me be the first to tell you about it.

This was and is the sort of experience that first enraptured and astounded me as regards to the movies. A story told in such a way as to become a part of your awareness, a gentle reminder of the fantastic, mythical and magical components of what is best in humanity whilst not forgetting what it means to be human.

Breathtaking does not even begin to describe the cinematography. The colors, the framing, costumes, lighting, and the backdrops are gorgeous; like something out of a dream. If this was just a visually moving film, that would be enough but there is so much more.

Tarsem Singh's direction is possessed. He manages to capture a kaleidoscope of emotion as diverse and generous as the tones and colors that deliver this movable feast for the eyes. His motley casting of relatively unknown actors is inspiring and refreshing.

The acting is extraordinary. Both poignant and comical, this journey of heartbreak and revenge, of discovery and friendship is conveyed with joy, witticism, curiosity and a vulnerability that is so rare in life, never mind in movies, it left me humbled. Especially the young Romanian girl, Catinca Untaru, who, not only made her big screen debut in this movie but is the heart and soul of the film in a breakthrough performance that I am sure will garner rave reviews.

It is my sincerest hope that you find this movie as emotive, tender and touching as I.