The Fall Before Paradise

Although billed as a 'thriller' on IMDb, THE FALL BEFORE PARADISE can better be described as a quirky and original supernatural drama, which, to its credit, does not take itself too seriously all the time. Following a screening at the Dances With Films fest, helmer Steve Gillilan revealed that the film was inspired by his own struggle with mental instability after living in L.A. for a relatively short period (the F. Scott Fitzgerald syndrome). But instead of making one of those pompous indie LA-bashing crack-up movies, Gillilan moved the setting to Baltimore, added a supernatural spin and created something a bit different.

The story focuses upon MAX, (played by Devere Jehl in a multi-dimensional performance), who is an introverted, tormented mental patient locked in an asylum struggling with visions of an abducted/abused child he must save in the outside world. But in order to do so, he needs the help of his overbearing, psychotic girlfriend Maddie (Sabrina Gennarino) to escape the asylum and help him make sense of his disjointed visions. The pairing of these two incompatible characters provides some much-needed comic punch when the story gets a bit heavy around the molestation-related scenes. It's evident that Maddie's over-the-top character may have been an afterthought (although probably a good one) to bump up the pace of the film.

Thus arises my greatest criticism. This movie could have been an excellent thriller or drama or maybe even comedy (although this would take some serious reworking) if the director had exclusively committed to any one of these three genres. Instead, the filmmaker juxtaposed elements of all three, resulting in a sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes thrilling story. But the result of Gillilan's brew is, surprisingly, a solid, well-executed film which holds up to movies made by more experienced directors with much larger budgets. The film's success is much owed to its creators' genuine dedication and love of the film itself.

8/10

Well i saw this at the director's view film festival and i had to leave. I didnt get to finish it because it was just that poor. I say they bit off more than they could chew because it seemed they knew nothing about mental illness, and the inner workings of an institution. I have a friend who is a director of a private institution and we saw it together and it amazed us how completely off everything was. I could go into examples, but ill give just one compeltely obvious one, Nurses check their patients when they give them medicine. I dont want to be mean at all, i commend the attempt, i just dont see how that won such a prestigous Connecticut festival, it really dampens the whole film festival experience for me. But back to the actually movie. The acting in this was worse than any independant, or hollywood, movie i have ever seen before, and so bad that i got so frustrated that i had to leave, and i usually never leave, especially on independant film, because i know it needs support more than anything. It also depressed me that the woman, leading woman in the ward was as bad as she was, but she was so pivitol to the whole story. I could go on, but ill stop here. but i will say this, It is so discouraging to see such a horrible film get such a big award. As a filmmaker i find this offensive. I wish you luck and wish you the best in what you do, but i wouldnt quit my day job just yet.

Every once in a while, a film comes along that for some reason, just blows you away. This was that once in a while. I saw this film at the Dances with Films Festival in Los Angeles and I just couldn't believe my eyes. I think the thing that impressed me most was that this was a film done by first time writer/director/ producer with a "no-name" cast, shot in 18days, 2 months after 9/11 and the cast was from NYC! Sabrina Gennarino was simply spellbinding, I couldn't take my

eyes off her! And Tony Tsendeas and Shelley McPherson were just brilliant. If you get a chance, see this movie! And please, no comparing to a film with a

budget and time. Just Raw-Friggin-Talent that will, like fine wine, get better and better and better and...you get the picture. And what a powerful and brave thing Steve Gillilan did after the viewing. You go Steve! What a breath of fresh air honesty is. Visually amazing as it was shot in the Fall in Baltimore. I gotta tell ya...I wonder what you all could do on a real budget. I hope to find out

someday.

Saw this in Connecticut and couldn't disagree more with Dave Colonna. Very bold, however to give his name. I guess that's just in case any of the people who made his film want to remember who not to work with in the future. I do find it difficult when people claim to be film makers and blame the actors. I wish people who don't know what they are talking about, stop commenting on things they obviously know nothing about. I found Sabrina Gennarino to be brilliant and in fact I felt that she carried the film. I felt her direction was the strongest in the film. The woman who played Donna was also incredibly strong and got some great direction. I do feel the film left some unanswered questions and it could have been tied up much better in the end. But, fantastic for first time director and FILM MAKER, Steve Gilillian (I think I spelled that right, apologies if not). I look forward to a more experienced direction and a more seasoned writer in Gilillian and hope to see much more of Sabrina, Shelley (played Donna, I just looked it up) and the gentleman who brilliantly played the sleezy guy, Nate. Best of luck to all of you and looking forward to some great new careers.

For a low budget movie this scores high. It's entertaining, funny, sometimes deeply disturbing, but leaves us to question where the border between what we perceive as "real" and "imaginary" lies and how our perceptions of what constitutes, "sanity", for in "reality", who are we to say? I love what Sabrina Gennarino brings to the character of Maddie, her colourful and warm portrayal brings so much to the feel and pace of the movie and you just want to fall in love with her. This is certainly one of those movies you will want to come back to and enjoy over again.