Sequel to the original "The Falls" I am reviewing only this film. For a number of reasons, not the least of which is the first film is ploddingly slow. This time, they got it right.
LDS Church members are a bit of an easy mark. They are the poster people of choice for all conservative religious orders. Not just Christian but Muslim and Jew as well as others. Many, if not most gay people would say it is probably deserved. But they are certainly the most visible.
Every actor in this ensemble is just great. They have these characters nailed. Hannah Barefoot as the devoted wife begging to hold on to her husband is a marvel. Her character sees herself not just losing her husband and home to a gay man. She sees herself losing her very identity as a Mormon. She is drowning here.
Nick and Ben who play the two truly star crossed lovers RJ and Chris are something to see. They literally drag you into their scenes and make you feel as though you are a part of their lives. The most wrenching, intimate scene IMHO is not one of their sexual trysts. It's the living room at Chris' house. He has brought together his wife, parents, brother, sister and his lover RJ to totally reject all their religious values and proclaim his love for one man--the only human being he has ever held in such regard. And Jesus and Joseph Smith can't forestall the whirlwind that comes through that room into that scene. Every single actor is fully clothed and yet, they are metaphorically stripped naked. The character of Chris literally hoists him self and RJ onto a cross and then drives in the nails.
One personal note: There is some minor male frontal nudity. This usually sends up all my red flags. It's usually an easy out for directors and is usually uncalled for. Most film and theatrical producers do it for a cheap PR play and media buzz to stir up viewer-ship and sell some tickets. They literally use an actor not for the story but for their own financial gain. (Think Ben Hardy in Judas Kiss. Or Dan Radcliffe in Equus.) Here there is a powerful scene in which actor Ben Farmer is showering. He has just reunited sexually with his one and only real lover, RJ. In his head he has lost his soul, his family, maybe his little daughter and dishonored every ancestor he ever had. He is desperate to wash away the sin. He stands under the water and then soaps his penis and tries to scrub his sin away. Impossible, of course. Whatever "sin" there was is in his heart, not between his legs. I say this because this is one of the few times I understand a director asking an actor to so perform. It is totally un-sexual. Instead it it sad, revealing and in a way, really very modest. And heartbreaking that organized religion has caused him to be so tortured.
You will not, I believe, be disappointed. A wonderful film.
LDS Church members are a bit of an easy mark. They are the poster people of choice for all conservative religious orders. Not just Christian but Muslim and Jew as well as others. Many, if not most gay people would say it is probably deserved. But they are certainly the most visible.
Every actor in this ensemble is just great. They have these characters nailed. Hannah Barefoot as the devoted wife begging to hold on to her husband is a marvel. Her character sees herself not just losing her husband and home to a gay man. She sees herself losing her very identity as a Mormon. She is drowning here.
Nick and Ben who play the two truly star crossed lovers RJ and Chris are something to see. They literally drag you into their scenes and make you feel as though you are a part of their lives. The most wrenching, intimate scene IMHO is not one of their sexual trysts. It's the living room at Chris' house. He has brought together his wife, parents, brother, sister and his lover RJ to totally reject all their religious values and proclaim his love for one man--the only human being he has ever held in such regard. And Jesus and Joseph Smith can't forestall the whirlwind that comes through that room into that scene. Every single actor is fully clothed and yet, they are metaphorically stripped naked. The character of Chris literally hoists him self and RJ onto a cross and then drives in the nails.
One personal note: There is some minor male frontal nudity. This usually sends up all my red flags. It's usually an easy out for directors and is usually uncalled for. Most film and theatrical producers do it for a cheap PR play and media buzz to stir up viewer-ship and sell some tickets. They literally use an actor not for the story but for their own financial gain. (Think Ben Hardy in Judas Kiss. Or Dan Radcliffe in Equus.) Here there is a powerful scene in which actor Ben Farmer is showering. He has just reunited sexually with his one and only real lover, RJ. In his head he has lost his soul, his family, maybe his little daughter and dishonored every ancestor he ever had. He is desperate to wash away the sin. He stands under the water and then soaps his penis and tries to scrub his sin away. Impossible, of course. Whatever "sin" there was is in his heart, not between his legs. I say this because this is one of the few times I understand a director asking an actor to so perform. It is totally un-sexual. Instead it it sad, revealing and in a way, really very modest. And heartbreaking that organized religion has caused him to be so tortured.
You will not, I believe, be disappointed. A wonderful film.