The Fall Before Paradise

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.

I was not going to comment on this movie, as there are some very positive reviews already posted, then i read the comment from "dave-colonna", and felt i should have my say. Mr dave-colonna's comments, are to me totally unfounded, and as he purports to be a "film maker", i would like to see some of his work, and have the chance to comment on it, He says it was that bad he walked out with out seeing the movie through to the end, well i do not know how he can comment on something he has not fully seen, his comment on nursing staff making sure all there patients take there medicine, is just petty, we all know how overworked and overused nurses are, and with the best intention in the world, i do not think that every nurse, in every hospital, will stand over the patient until the pills are swallowed. He also states that the acting is the worst he has seen,well the acting is not Oscar nominating material, but there is a heck of a lot worse out there, and for a cast that are "no names" for the want of a better word, they did a great job. I think Mr Dave C, needs to get out a little more, and go and see some really crap movies, and stop being so petty and i suppose jealous. I also predict that Sabrina Gennarino, who plays Maddie will be a big star, all in all it is not the greatest movie in the world, but not many are, however, it is a good film, i would watch it again, and if you give it a chance,i am sure you will enjoy it.

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.

Interesting, complex movie that held my interest from the first scene straight through to the credits. Left some questions that continue to creep into my thoughts. Enjoyed Devere Jehl in particular and would like to see more of him. I hope this film makes it into general release.