MovieChat Forums > The Fall (2008) Discussion > Punches above its Weight

Punches above its Weight

posted 12 years ago by matrix5904
5 replies | jump to latest

I can't help but think that people are so taken in by the Beethoven and beautiful cinematography at the start of the film that it absorbs the lesser aspects of the film when viewed as a whole.

Such is the power of Beethoven.

What i mean is that the start of the film is so strong and iconic that when we commit the overall film to a portion of our memory, this opening scene becomes the filetype we filter it through!

This is both a critique and an appraisal.

Ultimately i can't shake the feeling that the film was always destined to be liked due to its heady aesthetics and in other words, i feel it punches above its weight!

[–] mference123 12 years ago

OK the Beethoven is amazing, but it just represents the care and attention given all of the amazing decisions that went into this masterpiece. (Show of hands. how many of you had ever listened to B's 7th before this movie?)

What it says about the film industry; it will chew you up and spit you out, but actors keep coming back for more. Why? the fantasy is freaking addictive.

How adults are willing to deceive and be evil to trusting children. How someone can make a character who does that still be sympathetic to the audience.

How two utterly different people can share a Folie a Deux and communicate on levels they don't appreciate until its too late.

How selfish suicide is.

How amazingly sexy a paraplegic can be. Especially when the actor who's playing him agrees to pretend for months in front of the whole crew. There's a man who gives all for his art.

I could go on and on, but everyone has probably fallen asleep by now.

I understand. Thank you for telling me. -The masked bandit

[–] mference123 12 years ago

I mean really. The Beethoven alone. How the simple theme and the second theme trade off and compete for dominance. How they inform each other to make something far more beautiful than either alone.

Was there ever music better chosen for a movie?

Think Tarsem was inspired by the music before he made the film? Or stumbled across it afterward?

I understand. Thank you for telling me. -The masked bandit

[–] mesaydayo 11 years ago

Honestly all I paid attention to in the film was the girl. She was captivating, adorable, held the entire film. What music?

[–] mference123 11 years ago

The second movement of Beethoven's 7th symphony. Listen closely, the main theme is long-short-short-long-long. So simple and yet played in such variety throughout the piece. It represents Roy's single-mindedness to me. The the other theme is this simple yet lovely series of notes, so light. It's like the two themes are arguing with each other.

And then the piece ends with the disturbing chord with which it began. Symbolizing to me the unresolved conflict in Roy.

The piece plays in the credits at the beginning and then again at the end.

I love this music. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H-YsX8Ltfc

Not the best recording, but all I could find quickly on YouTube.

I understand. Thank you for telling me. -The masked bandit

[–] drgnndblls88 11 years ago

I think I know what you're saying. the sensual beauty of the film is undeniable. visually and aurally. I can see how it can render critique of the other aspects of the film almost irrelevant to many people. whatever you or I or anyone else has to say about this movie, it's still....incredibly pretty to look at.