When I first heard that Tarsem Singh was FINALLY making another movie, I literally burst from excitement into little pieces. For those who don't know, Tarsem directed "The Cell" way back in 2000. Reception of that film is generally mixed, but the one thing that no one can deny is the artistry of the stunning visuals that Tarsem brought to the screen. "The Fall" is Tarsem's return to cinema, and again, it is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful films ever made. If you were even mildly impressed by "The Cell", be prepared for a visual feast that will leave your eyes exhausted.
Unfortunately, the only weakness of "The Cell" was the limp, mismanaged plot, and it seems that six years later, Tarsem still can't tie together a gorgeous film with an equally arresting story. "The Fall" takes place roughly during the 1930s, where we find a Hollywood stuntman in a hospital after a botched suicide attempt. His heart has been broken, and he wants nothing more than to finish what he started. In walks an impossibly adorable little girl who is also a patient in the hospital. He tells her stories to get her to do little "favors" for him, such as stealing morphine. It's an odd relationship, one that doesn't lend itself to much sympathy for our "hero", and we only ever see the woman who broke his heart once, so there isn't much of a connection for the viewer to hold on to. The whole thing is quite reminiscent of "Pan's Labyrinth" but that movie does it so much better.
However, it is almost impossible to believe some of the sights you will see, and I still highly recommend this film, at least just for a rental. Tarsem is currently slated to direct a movie titled "War of the Gods" that is based on a mashup of Greek mythology. Here's hoping he can finally pull together his amazing artistry with a solid story.
