Fall

Man, I had no clue what I was in for. The idea is simple (two climbers get stuck atop a 2000-foot tower in the middle of the desert) but the viewer experience is complex. It feels so real. It's meant to feel real. "Fall" is an unapologetically distressing tour de force. Buckle up.

My subject line is a bit cheeky, tho. Yes I'm warning you to be careful- particularly if you're acrophobic because, again, this one pulls no punches. It is intense. But it's also a line the climbers say more often than any other. They keep stating the obvious: "Be careful, Hunter!" "Omg Becky, be careful!" And each time restarts your panic cycle anew: "Oh no, what are they in for now?!" Worse, it's hard to prepare for what's coming. Even when you think you're ready, there's no telling how your body will react to what it sees and fears; logic can't always override instinct. In that sense it's not a movie that provides soft landings (pardon the pun). It is full on *trying to spark a physical response.

Not just when the climbers are on the tower either. It employs other tactics as well. Like repeatedly using an establishing shot with a sign that says "No Trespassing. Danger of Death." So even if you start to (somehow) settle in comfortably, the words push you back out to the edge of your seat. The name of the film works the same way: Fall. Would "Climbing the Ladder," "High," "Alone Together" ("Friends in High Places" lol) or something more hopeful/less dramatic not have been enough? Nope. FALL. The filmmakers make no secret of where they want your mind to be.

In the end, subconscious tools work in tandem with vertigo-inducing visuals to create a fully destabilizing experience: Be careful... Danger of death... Fall. You hear it, see it and feel it. I get sweaty palms just typing it out now, and if I watch again I'll need a new strategy because the thrills are not something you get used to. One of the more electrifying movies I've ever seen.

I'd like to point out that I'm a horror buff, have seen probably around 1000 'scary movies', and have never come across anything like this. Give me killers/ghosts/clowns/sharks any day.

I will point out, I do have acrophobia to an extent. I'm fine with rides and roller coasters and things like that, but I start to sweat when I'm near a ledge or out in the open at an elevated level, like a rooftop.

I thought I'd give Fall a go, since I'd be comfortable on my couch...but I was very very wrong.

The imagery in the film is so intense that there were parts where I could only watch 10 to 15 minutes at a time before needing a break because my palms and soles of my feet were incredibly sweaty. It took me forever to actually finish the movie.

The acting is decent, and the story is pretty basic, but I've given the film a rating of 8 because no film has freaked me out as much as Fall did. Not Vertigo, not The Walk, not Skyscraper, not anything.

If you're fine with heights, you may find the movie a bit boring I would assume...but if you aren't fine with them, you're in for a bumpy ride.

How this is technologically impressive is one thing. A worthy combination of computer generated images and the real thing. The soundtrack also does not fail. But that's all the package. What matters the most is what's beneath the surface, the contents. Pain and fear of death making someone rediscover their will to live after a personal tragedy. Also, altering their perception of reality, removing idealism, to be more exact. Also, when things go far enough, the plot may surprise the audience. Of course, there can be criticism. There could probably have been fewer shots with the blinding Sun in them. The heroines could have been a bit more resourceful here and there, and they could have been tested even more. But the action takes place in a hot desert and sunlight is a big problem there. No wander the movie gives it strong emphasis. And in a situation like what the movie has, it is way more difficult to think as clear as possible than, say, at home, in comfort. And as for what the main characters go through, especially with the performances delivered, "Fall" works just fine.

Swap down for up, water for air, scuba gear for climbing gear, sharks for a pair of vultures and voila you have another harrowing story of survival. Hardly original but to be honest it's decently executed. The acting is solid and you genuinely feel like this film was shot 2000 feet above ground. Make no mistake it is uncomfortable. The camera work fully engaged the butterflies in my stomach and properly connected me with actors sense of fear and excitement. Not necessarily the edge of my seat stuff but I was along for the ride. While I haven't given this film a particularly high rating it definitely deserves a watch.

This movie was rather hard to watch, not because of the direction or acting, but just because of the sheer intensity of the story. It's not for the weak of heart. I wanted to look away several times rather than see what was going to happen. It's a pretty decent film, just know that if you're squeamish or acrophobic at all, you're probably going to be on the edge of your seat the whole time, probably not feeling too comfortable at times.