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THE FALL |
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Tarsem Singh gained a tad bit of
acclaim with "The Cell" starring Jennifer Lopez. It was kinda strange but well
done. I looked over his bio and it said he
graduated from the Art Center of Design in California, though it fails to say
what his degree was in. After watching his latest film, it is clear his
background was in graphic design. "The Fall" is one of the most visually
brilliant films I have ever seen. The colors, backgrounds, costumes, and
textures are the richest in film history. I was mesmerized by the visuals. That's it. |
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Nothing more to add. "The Fall" is a film to see but not
understand. You will be entertained more if you don't try to follow the plot.
If there is one. In other words I really have no idea
what the hell the story is about. Lee Pace ("The Good Shepard", "Miss Pettigrew
Lives for a Day") plays an 1915 stuntman named Roy Walker who is
injured by a fall from a horse. He is now paralyzed in a Los Angeles hospital
with apparently a bleak future. On top of that he learns his lady has run off with an actor. Another patient, a curious little
girl named Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) happens upon him in his bed when a
note she was tossing to a nun was blown onto is bed. When she goes to
retrieve it with her broken arm, Roy holds onto the note in exchange for a
story. Roy's story transports us to a
fantasyland where some guy is on a quest to find some other guy in some other
place. The other guy did something. Along the way the guy is assisted by a couple of
other guys including and African-like guy, a guy from India, another guy in
fancy clothes, and another guy. |
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Someone died and the red is the blood I think. |
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Then the story takes a interesting
turn as he decides to search for a beautiful woman who might be sleeping
around with several men - in reference to his own lost love. I think some of the folks in his
story get killed - very dramatically, symbolically, and colorfully as the
ride around the world in this search. Roy's story is often interrupted
when in reality Alexandria must return to her on bed. Roy then begins withholding portions
of the story unless Alexandria brings him significant painkillers from the
nurse's station. She complies in a most innocent manner and he continues his
story. The story becomes bleak as his addiction to the drugs increases and he attempts to overdose. Yeah,
I'm pretty sure that's what happens. Anyway, the story ends and Alexandria
may or may not be satisfied with the outcome. By the end of the film, I (and
everyone else) was scratching my head trying to comprehend what the hell I
just watched. To wit I must conclude that Tarsem's "The Fall" was either the
greatest film of all time or one big colorful piece of crap. I'm giving myself the cowardly
out-clause because if my memory is correct a great many "classic" films were
panned by critics only to later become standard bearers later. Alfred
Hitchcock's experimental film "Rope" was one. "Rocky Horror Picture Show" is
another. I personally found "Chariots of Fire" one of the dumbest films of all
time, yet it won Best Movie of 1981. "The Fall" is graphically one of the
most visual movies of all time with a questionable storyline. That's my take
and I might stick with it. --GEOFFREY BURTON
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