Darkness Falls

"Darkness Falls" is not the kind of movie that becomes a box-office hit, but if you're patient and give it some time, it may prove to be engrossing enough. The director does a moderately effective job of constantly twisting around our sympathies regarding the three main characters, and of showing how appearances can be deceiving and how a human monster may be hiding behind the facade of normalcy. Kudos, too, to Sherilyn Fenn, who in addition to being perhaps one of the three or four more stunningly beautiful actresses working today, shows that she has also worked on her acting, which has improved considerably. (**)

My insomnia came in handy as I watched this movie in the early hours. This is a wonderful movie. It is like watching a play, which I like, so the movie depends upon the quality of the actors. The three main actors were well-cast. The acting of Sherilyn Fenn and Ray Winstone were extraordinary.

The plot gave me chills, especially the ending. The baby was a nice touch, especially with Sally Driscoll holding her, but seeing the conniving husband get his due was the best part.

Okay, so I related to the plot personally. I'm not rich, but I did have a husband who tried to put my house up for collateral for his debts. And he was a womanizer.

This is a movie for our time. It exposes what the modern marriage relationship has become, or can become. I expect that faithless spouses will not like this film and find it unnerving. Spouses on the other side of the coin will be intrigued.

This is one of the most predictable movies you will ever see, except for the last 20 minutes or so, which is quite satisfying.

It's a "suspense" film, and the overall story is good, but the writing is horribly inept, as the viewer is relentlessly put to sleep by the tedious dialog.

It's obviously made for two types of spectators. In the movie theater, it's made for the crack head or meth head, or some abuser of drugs, because only someone on serious drugs could stay awake through this ordeal. If one can stay awake, one is rewarded by a decent non-Hollywood ending. This means the ending is meant for the people who don't abuse drugs, but the rest of the movie is meant for the "haters" who do abuse drugs.

In the home viewing, it is meant for "groups of three or more", where two people chat while one keeps up with the story and tells the others, until that one is too bored to go on, then a relay goes into place for the group. This is not uncommon in group viewing, and movie makers know this.

However, it makes for a mediocre movie.

If the dialog was better, if the writing was better, if the movie would be about an hour shorter, it would be a very good movie. The characters are well drawn enough, although the "bad guys" are totally Hollywood caricatures. The "non-bad" characters are three dimensional, however.

Not to say it was a bad movie. Just that it is impossible for a non-drug abuser to sit through this in one entire viewing, so you would be advised to switch to another station for ten minutes or so, about three times in the beginning of the movie, then back, in order to be satisfied. You'll get the picture, and you'll predict exactly what the lead character is up to, withing the first 15 minutes of the movie, in terms of the "money crime", and you'll gather enough to realize what he's up in the "morality crime" soon enough, since that drones on and on throughout the movie.

Darkness Falls, I think that the working title of Dangerous Obsession worked better! With its small budget it lives up to the great tradition of other recent British films, not really in the Cool Britannia market(Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, The Full Monty) but nonetheless has a lot to offer its audience. A tense thriller which ending leaves you feeling more than satisfied, and some exceptional characters brought to life by experienced and highly talented actors, notably Ray Winstone(Nil by Mouth) and Sherilyn Fenn(Twin Peaks), all together a good watch, highly recommendable.

Low budget flick but satisfying for North American viewers who like/expect the bad guy to get it in the end. Slow moving off the top and obviously adapted from a stage play, which means viewers have to pay attention to the dialog, which may be difficult because of the main character's British accent and soft voice ... just turn on the subtitle option if you have a problem.

I enjoyed watching this character-driven drama on DVD ... I suspect it was intended to go direct to DVD distribution, and not attempt to be a big screen theatrical release. Subtle, psychological, reasonably believable, with adequate acting. Not a must see, more an unexpected treat for people who like this particular genre.