Fall
review by Bobby Blakey
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I always dig films that try to take a straight forward concept with everything in one location and ideal. This offers up some fresh takes of filmmaking creativity when they work and often times some intense elements. The latest, Fall from Heist and The Tournament Director Scott Mann starring Grace Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardner, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Mason Gooding. Could this film offer up the tension it promises or will it fail to hang on?
Fall follows best friends Becky and Hunter, whose life is all about conquering fears and pushing limits. But after they climb 2,000 feet to the top of a remote, abandoned radio tower, they find themselves stranded with no way down. Now Becky and Hunter's expert climbing skills will be put to the ultimate test as they desperately fight to survive the elements, a lack of supplies, and vertigo-inducing heights.
I liked the simple concept but was concerned on how well it would be able sustain the tension for the entire run time just on the top of that tower. To my surprise it works pretty well with a nice set up reminiscent of Cliffhanger to create the character tension before making the big climb. Sure the reasoning for the entire thing is silly and irresponsible, but that always makes for a good time.
The big reason this film works is making us believe the tower climb and how high up they actually are. They have done a great job keeping it realistic for the most part with visuals that really capture the fear of heights. If you are easily freaked out about heights then this film will really mess with your
fears. It isn’t a scary movie by any means, but depending on how these things affect you might change that.
The other side of this film’s success are the performances of the two leads Currey and Gardner who knock it out of the park. They bring the fun and emotions to the roles needed for you to buy into their situation and terror of trying to survive their ordeal. There is a great twist to the whole thing that isn’t overly hard to figure out, but is still clever making the film a bit more than you might initially believe.
In the end the film is a simple premise, but does a great job building tension and bringing some unexpected twists to it all. I enjoyed this film more than I had expected and applaud what they were able to pull off here.
Grab your copy of Fall available now on digital, Blu-ray and DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.