The Sky Is Falling

I hate movies where I'm supposed to feel one way about a particular character. . . and I feel the exact opposite.

It was pretty clear to me that I was supposed to empathize and root for Emily. However, as the movie progressed, it became equally clear to me that while I felt sorry for her a number of times, I did not like her. And in fact, more often not, I wanted to strangle her.

My sympathy was almost entirely for her boyfriend Mike (played beautifully by Eric Close). That surprised me. I had read the other reviews, and figured I'd at least to bop Mike upside the head.

Not this time (well, aside from the groveling). I wish I had liked Emily, but I didn't. And unfortunately, I found myself fast-forwarding through most of her scenes, to the scenes which featured Mike.

Personally, I would have found a movie about a struggling young musician, trying to balance the demands of his own dreams with the demands of his insecure girlfriend, a lot more interesting. After viewing 'The Sky is Falling,' I have no doubt that Eric Close has the ability to carry such a film.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised. Eric Close does a great job as the confused boyfriend of the main character, who is played by Dedee Pfeiffer. She's a little disconcerting, because she looks just like Cameron Diaz, but has many of the mannerisms of Michelle Pfeiffer. Once past that, she did well. She has an expressive face, and is able to convey a lot with her expressions. However, it's hard to believe that an unemployed writer could live in such a nice home in LA of all places, not to mention afford to feed a large dog. Still, it's a sweet movie, and you feel good at the end.

Good movie, you could totally identify with the character feeling left out and like a failure when she can't get a book deal, all her friends are either getting married, having a baby, or rising up the corporate ladder, and her boyfriend(hottie Eric Close) won't commit. Have a box of kleenex ready.

Caught this little gem on cable the other night and I must say I was thoroughly impressed. Sadly, it's one of those movies that never really made it "big." No (incredibly) huge stars, no big budget, no fanfare, no publicity, etc. What the film does have though is a believable, moving, well-acted story that leaves you feeling better about yourself (and the world) once you've finished watching it. Although I see this film as being enjoyable to anyone who views it, I think there are really only two demographics that will "get it" and truly appreciate the story for what it is - those between their LATE teens and EARLY thirties, and those over fifty. Younger than twenty, you probably won't appreciate or understand the hardships yet. Between thirty and fifty, you probably won't care about the hardships anymore.

The Sky Is Falling is the story of a 28-year-old aspiring writer that has everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) going wrong for her. Family problems, career problems, relationship problems, money problems, having to face successful peers at an upcoming 10 year high school reunion, etc. As is so often true in life, all the hardships come at once (you know, when it rains, it pours) and she feels she has hit rock bottom. Her quirky mother (played perfectly by Teri Garr) tells her that everything will be all right in the end, but Emily (the magnificent Dedee Pfeiffer) just has no reason to believe it. The film includes several (tongue-in-cheek) "daydream" sequences where Emily contemplates the best way to commit suicide and put herself out of her misery. Don't misinterpret this to mean that the film is dark or disturbing. On the contrary, the suicide contemplation sequences are very comedic (albeit dark comedy) in nature and are extremely well done.

I don't want to give away too much, but Emily's life is touched and forever changed (in more ways than one) by Mr. Finch (played beautifully by the late Bert Remsen). Because of Emily's talent, perseverance, and goodheartedness (and Mr. Finch's actions) it looks like Emily might just get her chance for a better life after all. The film has a bit of what some might call a "feel-good" ending, but not in the way that most Hollywood pictures of the genre do. There is loss. There is death. There is sadness and suffering. But the main character comes full circle and ends up with the possibility for a better life because of the losses. In other words, the protagonist LEARNS SOMETHING (about herself and the world). And to me, that "learning something" element is what's missing in most pictures today.

Also worth noting is the relationship this film has to one of the most beloved pictures of all time, It's a Wonderful Life (1946). The stories are quite similar in many ways. Both take place around the Christmas holiday. Both protagonists are intrinsically good people that have fallen on hard times, are contemplating suicide, and need the help of an outsider to see the true beauty of themselves and of their lives. The Sky Is Falling actually pays homage to (and features a scene from) It's a Wonderful Life. Emily and Mr. Finch sit together in the TV room of the hospital while It's a Wonderful Life is playing. The scene featured is where George Bailey (played by the late Jimmy Stewart) is thinking about jumping off of the bridge and committing suicide. A symbolically striking resemblance to Emily. If you've seen It's a Wonderful Life (who hasn't?), you know what Clarence the angel does next. Could Mr. Finch be Emily's Clarence? You'll just have to watch and find out for yourself.

A+ performances from a ton of Hollywood veterans (Teri Garr, Howard Hesseman, Bert Remsen, Lorraine Toussaint, etc.). Cute little cameos by some big names (Sean Astin, Chris Elliott). And an absolute top notch performance by Dedee Pfeiffer make this one a must-see. Now, some might feel compelled to credit Dedee Pfeiffer simply as being the sister of Michelle Pfeiffer. Don't be fooled! Dedee is twice as beautiful and ten times as talented. Why Michelle gets all the glory is beyond me, especially after seeing this film. If you're looking for a funny, romantic, believable, charming, and all-around enjoyable film, you could do no better than The Sky Is Falling.

I liked this film very much. Dedee Pfeiffer is really touching. Her simple approach to the performance of her character is really moving, though. I couldn't believe, as I was watching the film, that it was so fulfilling to me personally to be part of it all. Very conveying.