The Fall (2006) - 5/10

There is a chance I'm being a bit harsh on The Fall here, but it just really didn't connect with me in anyway. In fact, if it wasn't so gorgeous to look at, I may have even gone with a lower score. But for now it holds the honor of being the first 5/10 I've put on here. Now this doesn't mean that The Fall is completely irredeemable so lets get into the rubric and see what happened here.

1. Acting

The acting in The Fall is decent. In particular Lee Pace is clearly trying here and if any performer came close to generating some feeling, it was him. His screen partner, Cantinca Untaru, obviously gets a pass for being a 6 year old starring not only in her first film, but doing so in her second language.

2. Cinematography

This is where the film is most competent. It is undoubtedly an incredibly beautiful film to look at and the camera framing and colors utilized are wonderful. The director made it a point to avoid using CGI for any of the locations and it pays off. Shooting for the film took place over the course of four years and utilized locations from 10 countries to include 9 different locations within India alone. The commitment to realism in locations is effective, admirable and, if we're being honest, a bit self indulgent.

3. Production/Costume Design

The Fall is crafted as a fantasy epic and the costuming department tried their best to match that aesthetic. The costumes are elaborate, imaginative and uses vibrant colors and ornamentation. It also shows some restraint (not much) to make sure the characters feel somewhat human vice alien since the film takes place within 'our world'. It was a good effort and matches the film.  

4. Writing

Narration in film can be a tricky thing. There are some narration movies made in the same style as The Fall that I really love such as The Princess Bride (a clear influence), Stranger than Fiction or Fight Club. However, The Fall can't seem to pair its narration storytelling with... well, a good story. Now, some of that is intentional. After all the narrator here has an agenda - to trick his audience to fetch him Morphine so that he can commit suicide. Nevertheless, the characters and the story being told failed to engage or even entertain me. 

The greater plot outside the fantasy story being narrated, also felt lacking. While I greatly prefer movies that lets the audience figure things out, there seemed to be a lack of context for the setting and characters. In this particular case the missing context hurts the characters and the audience's ability to care about them and the story. It started to win me over a little bit as the film moved towards its emotional climax, but it all happened too late.

5. Sound Design

I don't have much to note here. However, I did find it hard to understand Untaru's broken English at times and, despite that being real to life, it can break the immersion as you're trying to follow along with the film.

6. Editing

I really enjoyed some of the transitions in this film from scene to scene and real life to fantasy story. Clever cinematography and editing here. 

7. Visual Effects

The director specifically wanted to avoid using special effects but I'm sure there was at least some throughout the runtime. I didn't notice anything particular though.

8. Originality or Strength of Adaptation

 While there are some clear influences on the structure of this 'storytelling' film, I can say that I haven't seen anything quite like this movie. Whether that is a good or bad thing is up for debate.

9. Stunt Coordination

This film is, in part, the story of a stuntman. It even, especially in its closing moments, presents as a love letter to the incredible and crazy stuntmen of the silent era of filmmaking. Nevertheless, the stunts that actually took place in the film seem rather uninspired. 

The one thing I did clock was a horse riding fall where the stunt person absolutely took a major digger which was an interesting coincidence considering the plot of Lee Pace's character.

10. Direction 

Tarsem Singh is an Indian director whose background includes a lot of commercial work, some music videos, and a handful of feature films. He clearly has an eye for gorgeous cinematography, but his feel for story may be his Achilles heel. 

Legacy/Final Thoughts

 The Fall is ambitious and pretty but went mostly unnoticed by audiences and rejected by distributors. It bombed financially and was middling with critics. I should probably have another few thoughts here but I'm happy to just go ahead and move on from this film.