A year after her partner was tragically killed during a rock climbing incident, Becky's best friend Hunter persuades her to take on the ultimate climb; an abandoned TV tower in the middle of the Mojave desert. Whilst the girls both successfully ascend the tower, things go wrong when they try to descend it leaving the girls stranded 2,000 feet in the air with little to no signs of life and little to no hope of being rescued...
I've often said that sometimes the simplest of films with the most basic of plots can often be the most effective and Fall is another case in point. Whilst the majority of the action takes place in one location with 2 people just been stranded thousands of feet in the air, it's the way that the whole thing is put together and executed that makes it work so well.
What is perhaps most surprising is how calm the girls seem to remain for a good chunk of the film; were I in the same predicament I very much doubt I would have such a cool and collected demeanour. Their resourcefulness is also admirable and it's the varied things that the girls try in order to better their chances of being rescued that are big drivers in keeping the audience's attention. Of course interspersed within their own rescue attempts are some of the terrifying moments where things go wrong or the nerve shredding things they do in order to give themselves the best shot at being rescued (if you watch the film you'll see what I mean). There were several times when I could not look at the screen (but then again I hate heights which is a big driver in this film bringing a bit of fear my way - stuff like this, to me, is scarier than any horror film).
The acting from the 2 girls is pretty good and although they can be a bit irritating at times when it's time to bring the fear and emotion to the picture they both do surprisingly well. Director Scott Mann does a good job and though creative angles and a bit of cinematic trickery manages to create the illusion that we are viewing the action from thousands of feet above the ground - heck I don't care if what we see isn't entirely real as long as it looks real which is does in this film. The film is short, but is also briskly paced and it's fair to say that you're unlikely to encounter a dull moment.
I really enjoyed this film, but I can fully appreciate it won't be for everyone. If you like the sort of films where people try to survive against seemingly impossible odds this is a film I would highly recommend.
I've often said that sometimes the simplest of films with the most basic of plots can often be the most effective and Fall is another case in point. Whilst the majority of the action takes place in one location with 2 people just been stranded thousands of feet in the air, it's the way that the whole thing is put together and executed that makes it work so well.
What is perhaps most surprising is how calm the girls seem to remain for a good chunk of the film; were I in the same predicament I very much doubt I would have such a cool and collected demeanour. Their resourcefulness is also admirable and it's the varied things that the girls try in order to better their chances of being rescued that are big drivers in keeping the audience's attention. Of course interspersed within their own rescue attempts are some of the terrifying moments where things go wrong or the nerve shredding things they do in order to give themselves the best shot at being rescued (if you watch the film you'll see what I mean). There were several times when I could not look at the screen (but then again I hate heights which is a big driver in this film bringing a bit of fear my way - stuff like this, to me, is scarier than any horror film).
The acting from the 2 girls is pretty good and although they can be a bit irritating at times when it's time to bring the fear and emotion to the picture they both do surprisingly well. Director Scott Mann does a good job and though creative angles and a bit of cinematic trickery manages to create the illusion that we are viewing the action from thousands of feet above the ground - heck I don't care if what we see isn't entirely real as long as it looks real which is does in this film. The film is short, but is also briskly paced and it's fair to say that you're unlikely to encounter a dull moment.
I really enjoyed this film, but I can fully appreciate it won't be for everyone. If you like the sort of films where people try to survive against seemingly impossible odds this is a film I would highly recommend.