Falling Like This

I thought the movie was pretty good. I loved Brian Vaughan playing Boyd as the classic bad boy and the interaction between the characters was explosive, obsessive, turbulent and unusual, which made the story more real. I loved the character of Boyd's laid-back mother and her reaction to Katie and Boyd's relationship--pretty cool despite it all, though a bit unrealistic because she handled it a bit too well. The characters of Katie's parents and Boyd's friends could have been played up more though--they were cast into the background or skipped over quickly. Additionally, Katie's reaction to Boyd's actions sometimes was too nonchalant, as if it didn't concern her in the least. What made this film great was the dynamic cast, the charismatic bad boy character that Brian Vaughan played very well and the rough, gritty photography because this film didn't need all the sugar-coating and super-smooth filming some other movies have to depend on to make it interesting. Overall, I'd give the movie three and a half out of five stars.

This movie is damn good. It reminds me of my high school boyfriend. You know, THE FIRST LOVE. Its reminding of how much the "bad boy" image appeals to the teenage girl, and how they still do. Brian Vaughn is one sexy hot boy for a teenager. Makes me wish I were 5 years younger.

Minnick's FALLING LIKE THIS, that aired April 12th, 2002, is a film way ahead of its time. Shot digitally on a shoe-string budget, it nevertheless has plenty to offer in terms of technical proficiency and acting. The biggest draw, however, is the way the story unfolds.

Guided by Minnick's brilliant directing, we slowly fall in love with Boyd, just as the main character does. We just can't help but to like him, even love him, despite his increasingly criminal behavior. And there is no attempt ever to make him larger than life, a superhero of sorts. Same with the main character, an ordinary highschool girl. The subtext permeates every frame of Minnick's film.

This is a film for anyone who does not need to be told what to think or feel at any given moment bur rather likes to draw his or her own conclusions. FALLING LIKE THIS should be shown in schools, specially to troubled teens that are experiencing their first falling in love.

This film was beautiful and intelligent. It brought back so many of the feelings I had myself at that age and in love. The actors were so amazingly natural, at times I wondered if I was watching a 'reality' film - especially during the scene that takes place in the bathroom between Megan Wilson and the actress playing her mother. The mistletoe scene and the scene with Brian Vaughn and the baby were flawless and I was moved by a tide of bittersweet emotion watching them. I loved the score too, it complimented the film perfectly.

I am surprised and dismayed by some of the criticism in the reviews here. I thought the writing/dialogue was smooth, original and realistic. The story line was wonderfully simplistic - a young girl looks back at the sweet and sometimes turbulent relationship with her first love. I was enthralled with both of the young characters, but I was especially enchanted with Katie because of the strength and intelligence of her character. I do agree with the reviewer that compared Brian Vaughn (Boyd) to a young Brad Pitt - I found myself thinking the same thing throughout the film. I also believe the pacing and the length of this film were superb - a perfectly timed glimpse into the lives of two people that touched each other tenderly.

I watch a lot of movies, and this is definitely one of the best I've seen. It reminded me of "The Virgin Suicides" because of it's dreamy and poetic feel. I was touched deeply and I can't wait to see more from the talented Dani Minnick. I urge the reviewers to watch the film again, there were so many slight nuances in the film, you may not have caught them the first time. This isn't your run of the mill glossy teen film that Hollywood has been burping out for the last several years - it's much more perceptive and raw. I plan to view it again as soon as possible.

I wish it had been a little more to real life than it was. I was one of the g/fs to the real life Boyd. Then we married and had a child. He has since passed away this year, 04/2018 but in the movie and I was partly there when the writer Dani Minnick was getting notes from my husband Lloyd but it stated he had an affair with his parole officer and had a baby which in fact it was myself and not a parole officer. But in any case he had hoped she would do a second part before he passed but it's unfortunate that he already gone and he won't be able to see it. But Dani if you're reading this and you maybe are thinking about it and need anything look me up and I'd be more than happy to help. Alot went on between those yrs and especially between 2010 and 2018 and I was there for all of it.