Great Films You Might Have Missed on Netflix Instant: #1 "The Fall"

Tarsem Singh’s The Fall (2006),  presented by David Fincher and Spike Jonze, tells the story of eternally curious and unabashed explorer Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) an immigrant child laborer recovering from a fall in a citrus grove.  In her reconnaissance of the invalid hospital, where she is being treated for a broken arm, she discovers Roy Walker (Lee Pace), a young stuntman, convalescing after a devastating accident that leaves him paralyzed.    To pass the time and entertain her, Roy begins to tell her a fantastic story of adventure, but he soon realizes Alexandria's ability to pass unnoticed throughout the hospital corridors and attempts to manipulate her to aid him in his desperate ploy to secure morphine.  The story is completely engaging even as it shifts between fantasy and reality, blending the two.

The costume design is extravagant yet calculating.  The imagery of the film is a tapestry interweaving the earthy hues of early 20th century California and the jeweled tones of exotic locales such as India and Spain.   It’s a visual feast.  The opening scene is a particularly beautiful high speed sequence scored with one of my favorite pieces of music of all time:  Beethoven's 7th Symphony, 2nd Movement, the Allegretto (incidentally the same piece chosen to score the climatic moment of The King's Speech).  This is one of the most dramatic, emotional, and beautiful compositions ever.

This film is very engrossing and it has a strong emotional core.  Untaru gives one of the best performances by a child actor I have ever seen and the interactions between Untaru and Pace are amazing.  This is certainly a film to go back and watch.  Watch The Fall on Netflix Instant. Stay tuned for more films you might have missed that are available on from Netflix Instant.