Reading about this movie on a list I posted the other day, I was reminded of how much I'd liked it, so I looked up this review from 2008. After six years, I can say that I've thought about this movie a number of times, and I haven't changed me opinion. In fact, I think it's worth watching a second time.
What I didn't mention the first time around is that The Fall strongly reminded of a J. D. Salinger short story, "The Laughing Man," one of my favorites. So I'm mentioning it now. The original comments on the movie are below.
The Fall is the best-looking movie I've seen in a long time. It bombed at the box office, and in fact was barely released. Maybe nobody knew how to sell it. Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) plays a stuntman in early 20th century Hollywood. He's been crippled in a fall. He's suicidal and in a hospital in which a young girl played by Catinca Untaru (in a fine performance) is also a patient. Pace begins telling her stories, starring himself as the Blue Bandit, to persuade her to get him the pills he needs to kill himself. The tales of the Blue Bandit get grimmer as they come to an end. The girl is hurt in a fall herself, but she recovers, and the magic of the movies brings her happiness later on as she works in the orange groves with her family. Judy found this movie boring and slow. I can see why, but even in the slower parts, it's a wonder to look at. One of these days when you want to see something completely different, rent this one and see what you think.
