‘Find Me Falling’ Review – Harry Connick Jr. Can’t Heat Up This Netflix Rom-Com

The second function from author, director, and producer Stelana Kliris, Find Me Falling is a Cyprus-set rom-com that’s, sadly, missing in each rom and com. Following a washed-up American singer (Harry Connick Jr.) as he tries to begin a brand new life abroad — the place he’s apparently a famend one-hit surprise — the story, like its protagonist, moves slowly and unenthusiastically, culminating in a half-hearted romance and a grim subplot that feels misplaced within the movie’s alleged style. Nonetheless, whereas Discover Me Falling is unlikely to turn out to be a Netflix traditional, its lovely cinematography, catchy authentic songs, and robust ensemble performances might hold the challenge from falling utterly into obscurity.

What Is ‘Discover Me Falling’ About?

Discover Me Falling stars Harry Connick Jr. because the gloomy ex-rockstar John Allman, who flees to Cyprus to flee the frustration of his failed comeback album. A scruffy loner described by his agent as a “musical icon” and a “intercourse god,” John lacks the passion to deserve both title, and his sullen demeanor is simply amplified by the truth that he lives on a cliff-side property that may be a licensed “suicide hotspot.” All through the film, this darkish subplot weaves out and in of the story as John tries to reconnect to his music and encounters loves previous and new, together with previous flame Sia (Agni Scott) and the rebellious younger singer, Melina (performed by promising up-and-comer Ali Fumiko Whitney). When Cyprus and its locals provide John greater than he bargained for, he has to determine what sort of particular person he desires to be, and if there are some issues price sticking round for.

Harry Connick Jr. and Agni Scott’s Romance Is Underwhelming

Whereas Discover Me Falling largely centers on the relationship between previous flames John and Sia, the romance itself is essentially disappointing. We don’t even know Sia exists till John unexpectedly runs into her, so we’ve got no cause to know, not to mention care, that he might have simply re-encountered the love of his life. Because the film goes on, there are not any flashbacks to John and Sia’s previous to get us invested of their relationship, and what does transpire between them is essentially left as much as the creativeness. They share just a few chaste kisses and there are some blink-and-you’ll-miss-it PG flashes of a lustful night time between them, however aside from that, we actually don’t get to know them as a pair, and it lowers the stakes of their precarious romance.

Relating to the chemistry between the 2 leads, there is not an entire lot. Connick Jr.’s efficiency is essentially one-note and would not stray a lot from his character’s melancholic origins, at the same time as he tries to woo his lover. Agni Scott’s character is equally subdued, however she does successfully painting a quiet longing and harm that her counterpart can by no means appear to attain.

‘Discover Me Falling’ Mishandles Its Severe Topic Matter

Regardless of its leisurely pacing and lukewarm romance, Discover Me Falling is essentially inoffensive. Nonetheless, the movie’s handling of mental health and suicide often teeters in the direction of carelessness. Firstly, it is price mentioning that the filmmakers’ intentions are clearly good. Author and director Stelana Kliris was impressed by a information story about an Australian man who lived close to a suicide hotspot and talked many a weary soul off the ledge. She puzzled what this story could be like if a disgruntled misanthrope had been the one tasked with such a hardship, and thus John Allman, and Discover Me Falling, had been born.

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The place the movie falters just isn’t in its willingness to discover harsh realities, however quite in its makes an attempt to infuse these conditions with levity. The movie’s inaugural suicide finds a younger man, whom John principally accuses of being a nosy fan, standing desolately on the facet of the cliff earlier than leaping to his loss of life. John is clearly horrified, however the subsequent dialog with the police officer (Tony Demetriou) successfully spins this occasion as a unusual island occurring that, as we quickly be taught, occurs very often. At one level, John himself stands on the cliff, remembering the cheers of adoring crowds as he appears over the sting, hinting at a deeper inner battle. Nonetheless, this second is rarely touched on once more. A handful of different folks strategy the cliff-side all through Discover Me Falling, and are, as a rule, met by John with an air of “Oh for God’s sake, one other one?!” Within the movie’s third act, nevertheless, he does be taught to deal with these conditions extra delicately, and is proven to be a caring and empathetic particular person. However, the film’s usually blasé angle in the direction of suicide, together with some misplaced, cutesy jokes about “leaping” versus “falling” in love, could also be sufficient to go away some viewers with a nasty style of their mouths.

‘Discover Me Falling’ Has Efficient Plot Twists and Beautiful Cinematography

On a constructive notice, director Stelana Kliris and Director of Images Stephan Metzner make ample use of Cyprus’ gorgeous surroundings, with sweeping drone photographs highlighting the crystal blue waters and wealthy structure of the nation. This makes Discover Me Falling a reasonably straightforward watch, as a result of even when the plot drags, the smooth lighting and dreamy views are efficient on their very own. Likewise, the cinematography spotlights Cypriot culture, together with a quick scene by which John samples an array of mouthwatering conventional dishes which can be shot artfully from above with as a lot care because the landscapes. Kliris additionally orchestrates a handful of efficient plot twists all through her movie, providing some surprising but plausible surprises that give the story some much-needed power, and there are just a few gags that assist nudge the film towards the comedy class.

All in all, Discover Me Falling is a well-meaning and fantastically shot, however finally forgettable rom-com that largely looks as if an excuse to have Harry Connick Jr. play guitar (which he does properly), and look broody and scorching in Cyprus (which he additionally does properly). Try as it’d to deal with advanced themes and serve up some steamy romance, each endeavors fall flat and can possible go away audiences underwhelmed. Very similar to Sia’s mom, who resides out her days in Cyprus and ready impatiently for loss of life, chances are you’ll benefit from the lovely journey of watching Discover Me Falling, however concurrently end up trying ahead to its impending finish.

REVIEW

Find Me Falling (2024)

‘Discover Me Falling’s romance and message fall quick, making for an underwhelming, however visually gorgeous watch.

Execs

• Cyprus gives a gorgeous panorama, showcased by suave cinematography.
• The ensemble solid boasts some robust performances.

Cons

• The romance between John and Sia feels rushed and underdeveloped.
• Harry Connick’s efficiency is essentially one-note.
• The movie would not do justice to its exploration of psychological well being struggles.

Discover Me Falling is out there to stream on Netflix within the U.S. beginning July 19.

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