The Fall (06/08)
directed by Tarsem
****
whimsical
In 2006 two films were released. Both were visually lush, both were shot outside the US, and both were best described as fairy tales for adults. The first was Pan's Labyrinth, which enjoyed immediate success, box office cash and awards. The second was The Fall, which only managed to make it through the B-level film festival circuit from 06-07. It was finally released in US theatres earlier this year, to rave reviews. Roger Ebert put it on his top 10 of the year, as did many others. If you liked Pan's Labyrinth, there's a good chance you'll like this. Even if you didn't like that sometimes-too-grim, too-wrenchingly-intense Mexican film, you might still like The Fall, a film shot on 26 locations over 18 countries with a more childlike tinge to its grown-upness.
enchanting
The film opens with a black and white sequence, with cinematography so beautiful I could have paused any frame and sold it as a work of art. From the very start, the director known as Tarsem wants his objectives to be clear: he is making something beautiful. It won't always make sense, but who cares? These will be some of the most striking, lovely images you've seen in 2006 or 2008.
Set in 1920s Los Angeles, it's the tale of two wounded people: a despondent stuntman, who's broken his legs in a daring leap from a train onto a horse; and a mischievous (thoroughly endearing!) young immigrant girl, kept in the same hospital while her broken arm mends. The two meet and the stuntman begins to tell her an elaborate story about 5 colorful characters who have all plotted to kill the evil Governor Odious. As their own stories continue, the stuntman and girl find themselves slipping into the story.
imaginative
The stories are episodic, which makes sense since they're told in installments. But where that at times detracted from the quite masterful Pan's Labyrinth, they make this film all the more interesting. You never know where the tale will lead next, and that's part of the fun. No matter where it goes, though, you know it's going to be astonishingly imaginative ... and gorgeous. Stranded on a desert island shaped like a butterfly. Overlooking an unbelievable Escher-like labyrinth. Following a dazzling caravan across the desert.
It's meaningful, though. The Fall is a film about art. About the way we create or interact with art to cope with life, or to make sense of life, or just to explore what could exist. About the harm we unwittingly cause others when we're so wrapped up in our own world. About being willing to take beautiful risks. Most of all, The Fall is meant to be experienced. You won't regret it — you, or the childlike part of you that still wonders at all the pained beauty in this world.
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