In movies today there is a lot of sameness. As a result, things that are unique can be jarring. If a film can introduce a new idea and characters that aren't painted in black and white the plot can feel muddy or ambiguous. If a new story can be told without a viewer feeling wrong-footed it's quite an accomplishment, which is why I'd urge anyone who has the chance to watch "The Fall of Henry".
Memorize the names that you see on screen. I have a feeling you'll want to know them in a few years. The performances in the movie are so raw and unaffected that it is surprising to realize that the lead characters are also the writer and director of the movie. The Ivy character applies herself with an intensity and canniness that is impressive all things considered. She quite literally gives an amazing performance with her hands tied behind her back. And also shines in a series of flashbacks where you get to see her pushiness in a more charming light. Henry, in about five lines of dialogue, tells you everything you need to know about his character and creates a sweet and vulnerable presence in a short time. I felt for him and I didn't blame him for anything. James is just conflicted, just frightened and just frightening enough to be believable in the many transitions he has to make throughout the film. The chemistry between Ivy and James is complex, but enjoyable. And the role of Simon is put in deft hands as the actor manages to create a good sense of menace and mystery through a simple phone call. If the idea of a movie that largely takes place in one room between two characters that are generally stationary sounds dull, don't worry. The director capably kept things interesting with claustrophobic close-ups and dynamic angles.
The camera work is both simple and stunning. There is no flash, no glitter to distract, just a steady eye that caught everything from the actors' subtlest expressions to the textures of the world around them and let the story tell itself.
And to the story itself, I can't say much without giving everything away, but I can say that "The Fall of Henry" is a story about loss, about struggle, about power, about control, about responsibility and about the power of words. They tell you everything without telling you anything. All the characters are falling in some sense and there are no clear-cut heroes or villains, only who you can relate to in some sense. By the almost painful conclusion, you might have switched sides five times. Through the dialogue and performances you understand how hard this has been for nearly all of them.
Though it is a short film, I can't promise that you will only spend twenty minutes of your life on it because you will want to watch it again almost immediately. "Look closely." I can promise that if you do you won't be disappointed.
