The Fall can be best described as this: A visual painting. Absolutely legendary cinematography helps set the stage for director Tarsem Singh’s work. It’s not just the beautiful landscape or the lasting images, it is the heartfelt story played out by the two leads, Lee Pace and Catinca Untaru.

As The Fall begins we are introduced to Alexandria, a very young girl who is exploring the hospital she is currently residing in for her arm injury. There, she meets Roy Walker, an injured man with quite a story to tell. It’s his stories that set the stage for the brilliant visual images that we see on film. Lee Pace turns a great arc in this piece, as we see him stretch more muscles than the darkly comedic talents visible as the lead character on TV’s Pushing Daisies. Not only does he play the injured man, but he also plays another part that helps wrap the story together. As with a lot of fantasy, such as Pan’s Labyrinth, the shocking and astounding visual images are based in reality. It is no different here.

These images also help to wrap up the story, and bring out the parallels and idiosyncrasies in the story that the characters could not tell us themselves.  Another highlight of this film is the introduction of Catinca Untaru to American eyes. Her broken English and cute smile helped bring a naiveté to her character that might not have been there had a more seasoned actress was playing it.  Since it is her imaginations that we are seeing, she had to be relatable in a way, and in that, she succeeds.  Abigail Breslin and Dakota Fanning should watch their backs, this little girl from Romania could definitely give them some competition now!

I would give this film my fullest recommendation. If you can still catch in theatres, it would be your best bet to get the fullest enjoyment out of the visuals this film has to offer, but be prepared to bring a healthy supply of tissue, for the story this film sets forth is powerfully emotional indeed.  If not, then catch it on DVD, as it will be released very soon.