Falling Overnight

While I enjoyed the concept of the film, I found the lousy acting to be distracting. The dialogue seemed forced at times and very unnatural considering the circumstances. Also, not sure if I liked the ending, I would have liked to at least get a clue as to what may come in the future.

Cinematically, most (if not all) of the camera work was hand-held, even static shots were shaky – which could work in a more intense film, but this film was quite uneventful. And speaking of static, I thought all of the characters were very one-dimensional, and none seemed to show any signs of real growth.

This movie was a choice on Amazon. I had noticed it but never watched it. Finally, I did watch it. I loved it.

This is a story about a young man who is going to have brain surgery the next morning at 10am. She is working in an ice cream parlor. They meet. What happens between 3 pm until 10 am is both romantic and tragic.

My take on Elliot and Cloye is somewhat different than other reviews. They meet in the ice cream parlor after Eliott had to stop in the parking lot to throw up. He goes in and asks Cloye if he can use the bathroom. She hands him the key. She is attracted to him. He is in another zone. Imagine you were there knowing you would probably die the next day. He wants something sweet to drink. She makes it. They talk. She is having a showing of her pictures that evening and invites him. He admires one of her pictures and leaves with that picture. He has no intention of going.

That evening he is sitting on his wooden floor surrounded by trash bags full of his stuff. A lonely scene. He decides to go to the showing just to do something. Clowe is surprised but happy to see him. She invites him to eat at a mexican restaurant. (I know, eating mexican food before brain surgery. But, hey, it's a movie)

I really love the restaurant scenes. They enter into one of those kind of goofy conversations men and women have when they first meet. He says stuff that is really not funny but Cloye laughs anyway. It is clear during these scenes that Cloye is becoming really attracted to Elliot. In fact, by the end of the meal I think Cloye is in love with Elliot.

What happens outside the restaurant is amazing. I don't remember a scene that conveyed so much meaning. They are parting, Elliot is saying the usual;"I had a nice time, thanks a lot". and some goofy stuff to go along with that. Cloye looks somewhat amused at his awkwardness. She knows at that point that she really does love him and has no intention of letting him go. She enters her phone number into his cell and tells him to call. She then steps forward and puts her arms around him. For me, this embrace is the magic moment. The look on Cloyes face as she embraces Eliott says it all. As she leaves she looks back with a little wave and a loving look.

Think of it. She is leaving with a wonderful feeling. She is in love and is looking forward to a wonderful relationship with Elliot. Elliot on the other hand knows he will never see Cloye again. He sits in his car and cries.

And it goes from there. The ending is for you to decide.

I saw this film at Cinequest in 2011 and I was truly amazed. First of all, it was almost impossible to get a seat. All three screenings were sold out, there was a huge buzz about this film. I have to say that the film lived up to the hype and the festival judges agreed giving it the Special Jury Award. It was masterfully executed through and through. The acting was stellar. The two leads were so believable. It felt like I was watching two people truthfully falling for each other. The direction was spot on. The way it was shot was so realistic. I felt like I was a fly on the wall watching their lives. I gave this film 10 stars and can't wait for it to release. Do not miss the opportunity to check out Falling Overnight when it comes your way. I will definitely go to see it again!

The delicate subject matter of this film is beautifully rendered by writer/director Conrad Jackson. The serious theme is there but the overall tone is one of hope, and the beauty of life wins out over its unpredictability.

Jackson's cinematography enables us to feel the passage of time differently, and he takes us on a journey through a young man's (potentially) last night with simple events that exemplify how precious life is.

The two main actors are endearingly naive, but with depth and complexity beyond their years. Oh yeah, and apparently it was filmed in 14 days - impressive!

I look forward to seeing much more from these actors, from the writers, and from director Conrad Jackson!

I appreciate natural dialogue and personal interactions captured on film, as this one succeeds in. There aren't the contrivances you see in most Hollywood romances. The lead characters do have chemistry, and it's realistically tentative rather than the lightning-bolt kind. But I just didn't find the them interesting enough to recommend this movie. The viewer isn't really given enough background to form a strong feeling for the male protagonist, just shown that he's in a very precarious situation. And the female character has a strong SoCal intonation and does that thing with the breathless laugh mid-sentence. I just couldn't get invested.