Fallen Stars

Most people live in quiet despair wondering just where their lives are going and are they ready for the next challenge.

Here in Fallen Stars we are given a look into the life of two people that have reached that point in life in which a change must take place. But both fear making that change and living their current daily life is just too comfortable to step out of. The loneliness is less of a discomfort than making the move to change their lives.

Cooper (Ryan O'Nan) has been bartender in the same bar for 10 years, Daisy (Michelle Ang) has written a best seller book and is obviously lost for ideas for another book. These two meet and intuitively see the emptiness in each others existence. But opening their heart to another is not an easy thing for them to share.

This wonderful film is quiet and repetitive and withdrawn into itself - just as the two characters are in their life. Writer/directed Brian Jett has created a story that is more reflective of the general public than the general public is willing to admit.

If you didn't like Lost In Translation then I'd probably give this a wide berth,

But if you did then this is real joy.

A slow, subtle, but always engaging gem of a film. The two leads were equally outstanding.

Loved it. You probably will too... so long as you were blown away by Lost in Translation.

Fallen Stars is a smaller film with actors unknown to me. Ryan O'Nan and Michelle Ang take a bow. Also, director Brian Jett.

Fallen Stars should make them all rising stars.

This one is a slow movie, really slow. The lead pair has no chemistry although they do have some cute moments.Most of their interactions are painful to watch, I understand the girl's character has been written that way, aloof and quiet but it is annoying, it's no fun to watch. Clearly, this movie was not made for entertainment, it gets boring a lot of places.

I look for new movies to watch with the help keywords searches - the keyword that lead me to this excellent film was "ivy league". Even though that is not the main plot and this is not a college themed movie, it is a great find nonetheless.

The two leads are from different social classes, and under normal circumstances they would have never met. After frequent run-ins at the bar they become friends. Meeting new friends is not easy when you are an adult and you constantly re-assess whether you can trust someone new.

"Fallen Stars" is a title describing people who had a fall from grace. They either peaked or failed in life, and now have no idea what to do next. While the movie focuses on building this new, fragile friendship between the leads, the romantic chemistry is very visible. They communicate without speaking much - just like a real couple would be able to.

The anxiety, melancholy, loneliness and boredom are hallmarks of our times and can be felt throughout the movie.

In a perfectly portrayed "living in LA" haze of aimless existence and blasé encounters with our fellow meandering humans, occurs an underwhelming, intricate and uncharacteristic connection that almost seems like it would be impossible in the internet age.

Yet here we are and what unfolds is a character study that plays everything so close to the vest that you are lured in despite a completely fumbling glacial pace. It harkens back to almost a black and white era independent film or something that the South Koreans have mastered in recent years.

Whatever the concoction skilled director Brian Jett has crafted it is so enjoyable to behold and with such powerful yet subdued acting brought by both leads it has us root for these waylaid individuals who are at best a complete mismatch for one another yet is drawn together like we are drawn fully participating in their small adventure in mundane life living.

This movie has such an impact with me not only did I want to review it ... but I will always be eager to watch it again and be reminded of the small life stories that can save us though we know it not.