Directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell) ‘The Fall’ is based on the 1981, Bulgarian film ‘Yo ho ho’.

Self funded, it reputedly took sixteen years to complete, more than four of which were actually spent in production. It was shot in eighteen countries — and twenty-eight locations — as Tarsem took advantage of the stunning locations being used in his advertising work for major companies. It’s highly unlikely that you will get another chance to see one film with so many stunning backdrops and, I have to say, the cinematography, vibrant colours and lavish dreamscapes simply blew me away. Oh, and did I mention there’s no CGI?

Starring Lee Pace of ‘Pushing Daisies’ fame, the film is set around 1915, in a Los Angeles hospital and follows the relationship between Roy, an injured stunt man with a broken heart, and little Alexandria (Catinca Untaru,) an adventurous child with a broken collar bone and a penchant for throwing oranges at the priest. The heart of the film resides firmly within Catinca, the Romanian newcomer who, besides being one of the cutest children I’ve ever seen, seems to have a touch of wisdom beyond her years.

Brought together by their falls (unsurprisingly, falling is a theme throughout,) the growth of the unlikely pair’s relationship is a wonderful thing to behold and, as we come to know them, there is a definite feeling of fate’s hand at work. Watching them together reminds me of childhood, back in the days when I only wanted a tall, dark, handsome stranger to tell me stories… but when I caught sight of Lee Pace in eye-liner, I soon remembered I’m all grown up.

Their cathartic journey is told, as all my favourite stories are, with the help of a fairy tale. Roy’s silver tongue, coupled with Alexandria’s wonderfully naïve imagination, creates an ever-changing adventure which we follow, not only into mystical kingdoms, but on an emotional roller-coaster of surprising events and somewhat familiar characters.

The narrative is woven beautifully and seamlessly between the real world and fantasy — but as colourful and extravagant as their adventure is — the real world is dark, scary and sometimes painful. With these two worlds perfectly juxtaposed, yet skilfully dipped between, you get a real sense of the magic of storytelling and in a simple, heart-wrenching way, we witness the true power of a good yarn.

The orgasmic beauty of this film has cemented Tarsem as a serious one to watch. Cinema is a visual medium and, when someone so utterly visionary comes along, you can’t help but be in awe. This is what western cinema has truly been missing.

On an IQ scale of 1 to 10, I give this film an extremely well deserved 9.5 — I challenge you to resist it’s charm and I dare you to be transported.

Written for FilmmakerIQ.com

Simon made by Neave Games

The Smoke by ~lucaszoltowski on deviantART

I simply had to post Miles To Go Productions’ bid to join the ELE and get on Joss Whedon’s DVD.

Miles makes a phenomenal Earl Grey too… Here’s wishing them all the best!