Once Fallen

Great cast, great script, and great movie. I enjoyed the entire movie from start to finish. I would recommend this movie to all.

Honestly, if this had not popped up on our instant play list on Netflix, my husband and I would never have watched this movie, but I'm glad we did. This is one of those compelling human dramas that draws viewers in with its difficult subject matter, and credible performances by a talented ensemble cast. Though Ed Harris is in this movie, and delivers a powerful performance, Brian Presley delivers a visceral performance as Chance, an ex-con who wishes to get away from a life of crime. The story begins with a young Chance and his best friend Beat by the beach in San Pedro. Ed Harris plays Chance's father Liam, and when Liam sees Beat's bruised and battered face, he storms Beat's house in a fit of rage. His violence results in Beat's father's death and Liam is sentenced to life in prison. Fast forward years later - Chance has just been released after serving five years in prison. His only wish is to lead a clean life, yet his past stalks him unrelentingly. Beat, his childhood friend (Chad Lindberg in a memorable performance) is a tortured and damaged soul who can't seem to escape his own traumatic past. Chance feels a sense of loyalty to Beat, and this loyalty prevents him from just walking away when he is asked to make good on Beat's debts to a mobster and also a crooked cop, Rath (Ash Adams who also wrote and directed this film). Meanwhile, Chance makes a startling discovery - he is the father of a five-year-old boy August by his ex-girlfriend Kat. When Kat leaves to pursue her own interests, Chance is left at a loss. In steps Pearl (Taraji P. Henson) who helps Chance find his footing. With all this drama unfurling, there's still the parallel story of Chance's father, Liam who has since moved up the prison ranks to become the leader of the Aryan Brotherhood. A quiet and contemplative man, Liam's sole wish is to see his son safe, and he risks everything to ensure Chance gets a second go at leading a normal life. The stories are actually quite well-woven together, but viewers who are looking for a fast-paced, shoot-em'-up action flick will be sorely disappointed. Instead, viewers get treated to a leisurely-paced yet intense human drama that explores the various facets of human relationships - of what drives them, and how one man tries to steer the right path even though the odds are stacked against him. In this, the movie succeeds very well, and instead of being a purely Ed Harris vehicle, the movie shows off a talented ensemble cast (that also includes Peter Weller as a mobster). Final verdict -a thought-provoking drama with credible character development.

If you're a fan of independent films see Once Fallen. Writer/Director/Actor, Ash Adams should be applauded for putting together such an incredible cast - there was a lot of good chemistry. His performance as a dirty cop is disarming and memorable. It is hard to believe that this movie was made for $650,000 and in only 19 days! Once Fallen is a crime drama with a very touching theme about relationships between best friends and fathers and sons. There is also an interracial relationship (WMBW) that was very touching and added to the complexity this film. The strong performances of the stellar cast adds to the raw emotion of the film. This film deserves a lot more attention and I will be recommending it to my friends.

Movie has a bit of a slow pace and leaves many unanswered questions. Particularly annoying is the "whisper". Not explaining that isn't edgy, it's silly. Mostly people feel robbed for being teased about details like that. Certainly, I've never noticed movie boxes advertising "Leaves you to interpret your own meaning, must see!!!". The ending was good, if a bit predictable. I don't feel like I wasted my time with the movie, but it's not for everyone. Was very well acted by all involved. Much less ham than the mouthing breathing ensemble of the Twilight Saga, for instance. BTW, several of the reviews for this movie listed between Oct 2010 & Nov 2010, are fake. The reviewers all say the same crap about how the movie was made on a shoestring budget, under a tight schedule, they all deliver 5 stars, and just happen to only have one review per username; lame. Either the movie is good or it's not. It's not suddenly better than it was just because I know it was made cheaply. Should have cut out the less needed acting parts and spent more on your script. Either way, I enjoyed it, but wouldn't recommend to many people.

I came across this movie trailer while searching for another one and was very interested. When I read the reviews on Amazon, I became a little wary. Boy am I glad I went with my curiosity! I never really got the feeling that the budget was low while watching this movie. And I came away thinking this could easily be someone's life under those same circumstances. I thought it was well directed but a little choppy at times. Never the less, it held my attention until the very end. Ed Harris is a genious. He is one of only a very few that can draw you in like a moth to a flame, saying so much with little actually being said. Peter Weller was fun to watch as the comedy relief in this dark drama. In fact, all of the actors in this film did a great job. I prefer this movie to anything the big budget studios are showing today.

... and that's why I bought it. But I'm sorry, half way through I was just waiting for it to end. Actually the best acting performance in the film was by Ash Adams - and I did not realize he was the director until the movie credits came up at the end. Two of my favorite actors ever, Ed Harris ["Jacknife"] and Amy Madigan ["Twice in a Lifetime" and "In the Name of the People"] - were wasted in their roles, I feel. However, I don't think there were good roles for them in this film, and they weren't afforded meaty enough material to make their performances memorable. The prison scenes were not believable. What maximum security prison do you know of where you are able to visit an inmate right in his own cell? When the dad [Ed Harris] and the son [Brian Presley] were arguing at the top of their lungs like they were going to fight there was not a corrections officer in sight. The entire movie looked to be thrown together. I realize it was low-budget and there were problems with the production, but the consumer is not required to take any of that into consideration. All we know is that we want to see a great movie. When I saw Ed Harris' name on the DVD cover I just wanted to check it out. "Once Fallen" is not a movie I will watch again.

Ed Harris portrays a jailed convict with a long criminal past. His son just recently released from prison wants to break free from following in his father's footsteps, but is drawn into the crime world by a family friend. His wife leaves him with the care of their son and he realizes the futility of crime as a way of life. Ed Harris and his son try to work through their differences; there is no way out of Ed, but his son works toward a normal life in which to raise his son. Good solid movie, has violence, emotional moments, and a ray of hope. I recommend.

I wish that I had rented this film. It was not at all what I expected and so I was quite disappointed.