The Fall

I'm watched this film twice first of all i didn't really get it i was expecting something else though still loved the visuals. Then after describing it to a housemate I watched it again and saw the charm of it all and it fell --mostly - into place quite nicely.
The thing is it is quite a hard story to pigeonhole - which it may do better for it - but the fact the two central protagonists are so different in age one a 9 year girl (Alexandra-Catinca Untaru)another in his mid twenties (Roy Walker - Lee Pace)confuses me with what target audience they were aiming it at.
The Story sets self around an LA hospital in the 1920's where a stunt man and an inquisitive young Spanish girl meet by chance and start talking. Their relationship develops as Roy tells her a story which he gives in fragments in exchange for certain gifts which Alexandra provides from around the hospital. This becomes quite annoying at times due to the story which he tells being so beautifully shot full of colour, bringing us back back to childhood fairytales of old and it being stopped by events in the hospital. It leaves you wishing the story was just told in its entirety but on second viewing i realize it is important in establishing the story to coincide with the events in the hospital.
Another problem is it starts out as a period piece with a beautiful story but as we learn darker themes are involved the original fairy story changes to much draker affair encompassing suicide, love, betrayal and death. Which leaves an uneasy target audience to woo in .Though i also respect the different approach that Tarsem takes ignoring the commercial aspect of film making - narratively at least - and rather explores immense cinematography which i can see unrivaled in its epic scope. From deserts, oceans, palaces on lakes, gardens, palaces and many other of our worlds wonders including The Taj Mahal which is the backdrop for a shootout with love.

The acting though some maybe a bit shaky Alexandra played by Catinca Untaru is atonishing as the young girl with such natural flare for acting in front of camera. If i were compare her it would defiantly be Dakota Fanning the other child actor that i can stand i.e. not from a stage school where they drain all orginality/ creativity out of you - which i'm led to believe by many annoying wannabes in CBBC/CITV tv etc.

I think anyone who loves beautifully shot, general film making (there being an ode to the silent stuntmen of the period), brilliant acting (all except maybe the princess obviously swyed the casting director with looks rather than any acting creditability)and quirky storytelling should buy or defiantly watch this film.


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