Fallen Stars

Away from the humdrum and fan fare of big budget cinema lie these Fallen Stars. There is something very authentic about this movie, despite a familiar story-line.

I on my part love movies that deal with real issues concerning ordinary individuals. The director does extremely well in doing so here.

There are no twists and turns. No unwanted cameos of melodrama. The actors play to the script , which is well written.

The movie also bears witness to the adage that a little awareness can transform very basic acting performances into effective ones.

The movie moves at a leisurely pace, in line with the general theme of the plot . The characterisation is good and the setting soothingly plain.

If you watch it without any expectations ( which is the way life too should be lived) you will stumble upon a fine movie .

This is not the usual kind of film for me to watch, but after reading another review, it sounded like a good film, and it is. As described, the film is about a bar tender who meets people at his job and becomes numb to the regulars to the point he is starting to question the challenges of his life. A new face shows up at his bar and over a period of time he tries to force some kind of interaction with the new face...a girl, (who is obviously not interested.) The two eventually go for a walk and without intent, start to learn perceived "personal problems" of each other.

The story is fantastic and the makers of the film worked oh so hard to craft this tale into something the viewer will remember for a long time.

I would recommend this to anybody who has ever tried to gain a friend when they have been lonely in a crowded room.

Most people live in quiet despair wondering just where their lives are going and are they ready for the next challenge.

Here in Fallen Stars we are given a look into the life of two people that have reached that point in life in which a change must take place. But both fear making that change and living their current daily life is just too comfortable to step out of. The loneliness is less of a discomfort than making the move to change their lives.

Cooper (Ryan O'Nan) has been bartender in the same bar for 10 years, Daisy (Michelle Ang) has written a best seller book and is obviously lost for ideas for another book. These two meet and intuitively see the emptiness in each others existence. But opening their heart to another is not an easy thing for them to share.

This wonderful film is quiet and repetitive and withdrawn into itself - just as the two characters are in their life. Writer/directed Brian Jett has created a story that is more reflective of the general public than the general public is willing to admit.

In a perfectly portrayed "living in LA" haze of aimless existence and blasé encounters with our fellow meandering humans, occurs an underwhelming, intricate and uncharacteristic connection that almost seems like it would be impossible in the internet age.

Yet here we are and what unfolds is a character study that plays everything so close to the vest that you are lured in despite a completely fumbling glacial pace. It harkens back to almost a black and white era independent film or something that the South Koreans have mastered in recent years.

Whatever the concoction skilled director Brian Jett has crafted it is so enjoyable to behold and with such powerful yet subdued acting brought by both leads it has us root for these waylaid individuals who are at best a complete mismatch for one another yet is drawn together like we are drawn fully participating in their small adventure in mundane life living.

This movie has such an impact with me not only did I want to review it ... but I will always be eager to watch it again and be reminded of the small life stories that can save us though we know it not.

I didn't expect to see this little gem with almost two characters who weaved just two single threads into a very colorful tapestry. Two opposite souls entrapped in their own suffocating world. One, a graduate from Yale, already a somewhat known literary figure, but mysteriously suffered unknown depression and a bit anti-social; the other one, a failed guy not even finished the college without a diploma, stayed on a deadbeat going nowhere bar tendering job over 10 years without even counting; an aimless, mindless and numb good guy, also suffered depression subconsciously like a walking stiff not even realized it. These two lonely characters facing their own lives day in and day out until they met in the bar where the deadbeat bar tender working at night.

A very subtle screenplay expertly portrayed the lives of the young generation who lost by their own choices as adults, a hollow, uninspired, boring formula to go on with their lives, trapped inside yet never thought trying a bit harder to get out of it.

Great casting jobs for both of the leading roles, nice and simple dialog that so smoothly attached with and to the characters. A very one-directional scenario and evenly developed storyline but never became boring at all, with the help of great cinematography, subtle soundtrack, unpretentious trendy young generation dialog. A great treat to your own loneliness you are facing daily.

Highly recommended.