The Falls

Contrary to what the trailer for THE FALLS and the summary of the film posted on the Netflix site suggest, Chung Mong-hong (PARKING) used the current global health crisis not as the main frame of the action , but more like a trigger, for a rich tale of learning and rebirth unfolding over several months. Clearly, these are the cross-portraits of a fighter at the end of the rope, ripe for a healthy change of life, and a capricious young girl, who learns the hard way to become a responsible and generous adult. Along with an empathetic look at mental illness, the script doesn't spare Taiwanese society, exposing some of its flaws with aplomb. Adopting a slow rhythm, at the risk of generating some lengths, the staging is rigorous, cold at the beginning, then gradually warm, while the two protagonists find a certain balance. These are embodied with great nuance and sensitivity by the formidable Alyssa Chia and Gingle Wang.

This movie manages to portray what it means to stop your life for taking care of someone else.

The love you have towards another person can make you change your whole life, this movie portrays it perfectly. The characters are very human, portraying their pain, their desperation and their concern for each other, the story has a very good development that fully explains each situation and the change that is suffered in the face of them. The film shows how life goes on despite your problems and that you must face them and resist in order to get ahead. The performances are phenomenal, they portray every feeling and emotion that the characters have, the character development is good, but the character of the daughter is never fully explained what she feels in the face of the adversities she goes through with her mother, the photography is good and the direction reflects in a human way how we face adversity despite the moments that the world is going through. I think there was a lack of developing the other characters and how the mother felt when she began to return to her normal life.

But it is a very good film, with which I felt identified and that reveals the human side of facing adversity despite the fact that the road to move forward is difficult.

Pin-wen (Alyssa Chia) got mental health problems during the COVID pandemic. Her daughter Jing (Gingle Wang), who used to have a strained relationship with her, reconciled with her through various events.

The musical score is truly brilliant, particularly towards the end. Some scenes are pretty funny, e.g. The snake scene (including Liu Kuan-ting's special appearance) and the mental hospital scene. Alyssa Chia's performance simple blows everyone's mind. The result is a moving and heartwarming mother/daughter drama and also a dedication to people with mental health problems.

I was very touched by this movie. I thought it did an excellent job of handling a subject matter that affects many of us. There were so many moments that my heart ached for the daughter.

The strength of these two women was very powerful. I thought it was excellent.

Mother and daughter relations tested in this stressful difficult times. The divorced father adds a further mix into this whirlpool. The teenage daughter was difficult at first but matures and grows up quickly when her mother fell ill from psychosis.

This is your movie if you're into emotional, family mix and tugging of heartstrings. Check it out if you make it to the last act, you'll feel a pleasant glow in your heart.