Before the Fall (2016) Reviews

• It's all about Chase Conner

  hughman552018-11-08

  After my first viewing of this film I was struck by two things; 1) the poignant and restrained performance by Chase Connors, and 2) how weak the overall quality of the film was; overwritten screenplay, choppy editing, unimaginative scene blocking, and a serious lack of chemistry between the two male leads, most of which was not their fault of the actors. The screenplay had so many subplots that were unsupportive of the main storyline that, as it pertained to developing the arc of their story, these two guys just got left in the back seat of the car. We're shown their story. We're, at least I, just not given enough of them to buy it. Then I rewatched it and picked up on some really good aspects of the film that were overshadowed by its weaknesses the first time. The cinematography; no, not the easy layups of the Virginia landscapes in Fall. That's the easy stuff. Instead I was more drawn to some of the angles and mixtures of straight on shots with blocked shots within the same scene. It's really well done throughout. As well, the film has a beautiful, and simple, musical score. It is just enough to propel the story; and just as importantly, fill in when the story is becomes unfocused. Chase Conner's performance stands out but other supporting members are excellent too. Carol Marie Rinn, as the unlikeable girlfriend of Lee Darcy (Chase Conner), finds angles and levels of a fairly simple character, enough to keep you wondering just how much, or whether, you'll end up disliking her. Ethan Sharrett as Ben Bennet gives a wonderfully endearing performance with complexity. His facial expressions reveal myriad competing thoughts as they ricochet through his characters mind. For me, though more than equal to the challenge, he was miscast. However, the strongest aspect of this film is the performance by Chase Conner. I would love to see him in a better version of this film doing this role just as he does it here. With very little dialogue he embodied the conflict and brokenness of Lee Darcy. He knows how to be on the periphery of a scene, and without saying a word, reveal more of his character to the viewer. And the dialogue he does have - I can't imagine it delivered any better. He's an enormously gifted actor with that rarest of acting skills; the ability to pull away from the camera which pulls you, the viewer, further into the story and closer to his character. Why is he not in more films? I would love to see what he does with other material.

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• Somber, fine performances, beautiful to look at

  css-899512018-08-12

  Solid with a somber, low-key tone. It begins slowly, but draws you in due to the fine performances and lush photography. Very good, and definitely worth a look.

• Review by Andrea Press, Professor of Media Studies and Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia, former Executive Director of the Virginia Film Festival.

  swharton-489462017-03-23

  Jane Austen for the ages: BEFORE THE FALL Filmmaker Byrum Geisler, interviewed after the film's showing at the 2016 Virginia Film Festival, noted that he was inspired to portray all of Pride and Prejudice "backwards," and indeed he does. The most remarkable difference between the two works would be the change in focus from feminism to sexuality. While staying true to Austen's general storyline, the alterations in characterization and relationships make Geisler's film fresh and innovative. In this most creative millennial version, Darcy is a poor "real" man who seems confused vis-à-vis his sexuality, and unable to admit his gayness —although pairing him up with a woman whose character simultaneously embodies both Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley, two of Jane Austen's most hated characters, is enough to send any man looking for alternative love interests. Bingley too is a man who lives close to the earth, and is not particularly well off: a startling depiction of the man who, in Austen's Pride & Prejudice, was sought after by many for his incredible affluence. In another socioeconomic class reversal, the Bennetts in Before the Fall are relatively prosperous, and the older Bennett brother counsels his sister Jane against pairing her future with a man of such uncertain prospects as Bingley. Although there are major changes to Jane Austen's original plot of Pride & Prejudice in Geisler's film adaptation, Before the Fall can still be considered an accurate rendition because it maintains distinguishing elements of Austen's writing. One of the most distinctive parts of an Austen novel is the surprising number of walks the characters take in the gardens. These walks mimic the slow pace of life in England's high society and demonstrate the changing social relationships as different couples pair up and walk off by themselves. Geisler reminds us of these walks when he updates a walk in the garden to a hike in rural Virginia. The cinematography in this film is beautiful, as the mountains of Virginia provide a stunning backdrop for the various hikes the characters go upon. Just as Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennett's relationship develops on walks throughout Pride & Prejudice, Chuck Bingley and Jane Gardiner have their most romantic scene on a hike. Additionally, this film places a large emphasis on the influence of one's family on an individual, for better or for worse. Darcy is emotionally damaged and in denial of his sexuality as the result of the relationship with his estranged father, who was shown in a flashback walking into a truck stop restroom. Similarly, Jane is fiercely loyal to her brother, and willing to end her relationship with Bingley per his advice. The Wickham-like lawyer of questionable morality, whom Ben Bennett dates briefly, is incapable of abandoning his wife and children despite being gay. All of these ways the characters ardently take into account their family's values and wishes are reminiscent of Pride & Prejudice, which includes many scenes depicting the entire Bennett family in a single room and characters blindly following the advice of relatives instead of their own hearts. In general, fans of the novel find themselves awash in a sea of contradictory characters and situations, a chimeric scope which seems to turn the novel, its characters, and its situations inside out. This works to create a new experience of the familiar work. What perhaps does not work so well is its didacticism. Social commentary, unlike in Jane Austen's more subtle voice, is nothing if not overt, as Kittner and Lyle lecture Cathy about her own not-so-subtle biases against gay romances. The lectures seem out of place in a fictional work. Before the Fall comments on how gayness is the same kind of social taboo as marrying someone from a different class in nineteenth century England, but it also comments on the perception of more feminine gay men, who face a stronger prejudice and cannot hide their sexuality. Given the plethora of adaptations of Austen's most popular novel, Geisler and his crew are to be commended for the attempt to adapt in a new direction. And in large part, they succeed. Before the Fall is unique amongst the crowded world of Pride and Prejudice film and theatre versions in featuring gay protagonists and an impoverished though hot Darcy. My students who watched a pre-release version of the film found the heterosexual Bingley even hotter. Perhaps this film presages a new world of films featuring hot gay and straight characters together, in a world more seamless than the one we now inhabit. by Andrea Press

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• Pride Goeth Before the Fall

  ekeby2018-02-07

  In case you were wondering how the title related to Pride and Prejudice, "Before the fall" is from Proverbs in the Bible. That should have been obvious to me, but I had to look it up. I knew the proverb, and I knew Pride and Prejudice, but I didn't make the connection. That's because this reinterpretation has turned Jane Austen's characters upside down. D'Arcy and Bingley are poor, not rich, and (characters equivalent to) the Bennett sisters are concerned about marrying beneath their status rather than above. That's clever, and one of the few reinterpretations of Pride & Prejudice that's not a poor imitation, it's completely different. Pride & Prejudice is a social satire, and a comedy of manners. This film, on the other hand, isn't funny. There is a little comic relief, but it's feeble and the film would have been better without it. By no means is the dialog scintillating, and some plot devices are pretty weak (though probably no less contrived than Austen's). I personally was annoyed by the maudlin piano soundtrack in scenes where it was not only unnecessary, it was distracting. There are additional flaws that one could complain about, but overall I found myself able to overlook them. There is a lot to admire here, and it easily drew me in. I'd say give it a chance, especially if you are a fan of Jane Austen.

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• This films stands tall on its own

  sinnerofcinema2017-06-20

  Prior to signing up to watch this film I read the reviews about how this film is like a reverse "Pride and Prejudice". I don't particularly like comparing films because once you start doing that you begin to create expectations of how the film should be. Im pleased to report that this film stands tall on its own for is beautiful cinematography, music scenery and choice of actors. The actors, even though a bit stiff for my personal taste, are beautiful to look at and very engaged. I figured maybe the director wanted them to play it in their respective roles of an go getter attorney and a straight lace blue collar worker with his demons to resolve more conservative and reserved a choice I can respect as Im writing this review. I must go back to the beautiful cinematography because it is one of the main outstanding components in this film. The relationship between the characters at the end leaves you feeling hopeful. I do wish the final scene could have been extended a bit more to see where things would go from there. The direction is flawless. It pushes the story organically without making it feel forced. I wish there was a DVD for this film, for I would add it to my DVD collection. A great film in need of more exposure. It's a visual treat. I kept thinking Hallmark movie as I watched it. If you do find this film as you stroll the halls of amazon, do not hesitate to watch this film, its a MUST SEE.

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