User Reviews (17)

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  • JulietV29 September 2002
    Having lived in Las Vegas every day of my life, I was enjoying it, up until the end. How freaking depressing, since it mirrors what happened to me almost exactly. (Only my mom was a nurse, not a stripper.)

    Sad, sad movie, not sad in a good way, like "Beaches" or "Steel Magnolias"...just depressing!

    Brittany Murphy is going to be getting an Oscar someday, she's always so good in movies. If you like her, I'd suggest Freeway or something else.
  • sol-kay13 May 2008
    Warning: Spoilers
    (There are Spoilers) Effective made for TV movie in showing how alcohol addiction can destroy families as well as individuals. In this case the Nicholsons Reese, Karen Allen, and her teenage daughter Emily, Brittany Murphy.

    Having moved to Las Vagas from their home in Tennessee both Reese and Emily were looking to start a new life only to end up in the iron-like grip,and inside, of a vodka bottle. Getting a job as a waitress at a local diner Reese soon got tired waiting tables and taking orders and decided to become a dancer at a local Las Vages disco bar.

    It's when Reese's daughter Emily found out that she's, being much older and not that attractive as her fellow disco dancers, making a complete fool of herself in public that she started to hit the bottle and hit it with a vengeance. We already knew that Reese had a drinking problem back in Tennessee when she was caught hiding a fifth of vodka in the drawer by Emily in their Las Vages apartment. It was the depression of not being able to get herself out of debt, among other thing, that started Reese off on her personal road to destruction. ***SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON***That destruction will in the end also destroy her daughter Emily.

    Despite her mother's drinking herself into oblivion Emily at first had something to look froward to in life with her English Literature teacher in high school Mr. Hanes, Vincent Riotta, recommending her for a collage scholarship. It was the pressures of her mother's addiction that made Emily not only lose interest in her school work but start to hang out with the wrong crowd who were heavily into both booze and drugs.

    As her mother's life was slowing going down the drain so was Emily's with her taking up where her mom left off in juicing herself up with bottles of gin and vodka as well as popping pills. Waking up one morning from an all night drinking binge Emily finds out that she and her friends were involved in a near fatal car accident. It was that incident together with her mom's losing battle with the bottle that convinced Emily that the only way out was what we saw at the very beginning of the movie "Falliny Sky" and sadly enough that's what she choose.

    Emily was by far more stable and on the ball then her helplessly alcohol addicted mother Reese and at first it looked like she would bring her mother around and straighten out her life. With both peer and family pressures at school and at home becoming unbearable whatever hope there was left for her and her by now almost comatose, from heavy drinking, mom was for Emily to follow in her mothers footsteps.
  • ttony_at5 February 2017
    Warning: Spoilers
    The final scene at the end of the movie is very much like the first at the beginning. Only at the beginning I didn't know why there was a girl lying face down in the lake at the cove. Could it be accident, a homicide, a suicide? Then Emily begins speaking to us as to what has happened. And then we know the girl in the lake is the one speaking, and we learn how she came to this fate as the movie progresses. What a sad heart-wrenching moving story!

    The final scene in the movie tells me that she was probably in the pool while her life flashed before her eyes in seconds. To us, we saw it in one hour and a half.

    I've been going back and forth in my mind as to whether she lived or died at the end. The final words she says are: "In the end, my mother chose to die. And there was nothing I could do to ease her pain. Except perhaps...(sounds of water being pulled out of the pond and falling back into the pond, and then a sound of her gasping for air).....by choosing to live!."

    This appears to me as if she pulled her head out of the water and choose to live as she says. But I'm not entirely clear as to whether she does or not without a bit more proof. Let's see...Emily says there was nothing she could do to ease her mother's pain and so her mother took her own life. But, Emily also says that her mothers' pain was eased by her (Emily) choosing to live. To me this means that although her mother was in so much pain that she (mother) took her own life, her pain was in fact eased nevertheless because Emily choose to continue living (at the time that her mother took her own life). Evidently the mother's pain wasn't eased enough to stop her from taking her life, but it was "eased" nevertheless. And when Emily, in the process of committing suicide, realizes this and so she pulls her head out of the water to choose to live.

    I hope my analyses is correct and that there's a somewhat happy ending. I do realize life don't always have a happy endings. And I wouldn't think of this movie badly if Emily did die because there's nothing wrong with movies showing us how real life is really like, as a lot of them don't. I'd be very sad if the movie had a sad ending. I don't think the movie is bad at all. I found it very emotional as I saw Emily spiral downward and I though, no don't do that, don't think this way, or things will get worse...

    I'm pretty sure she decides to live, and this is a very good decision.
  • Every so often, a movie comes along that leaves you *feeling.* You might not even know, exactly, what it is you're feeling; may not be able to articulate it, but that you are feeling it is undeniable. It was once said that "To be called 'great' deservingly, a work must bring its reader to a recognition of some profound truth of the human condition of which they were previously, perhaps, only dimly aware." Surely, the same can be said about movies, and this movie in particular. It's not that it's the perfect movie, or even the most original, but it conveys some kind of truth, some realism that strikes a cord and the resonance continues long after the final credits have rolled.

    Hollywood has a tendency toward incredibly two-dimensional characters: they are either good or bad, there is no grey. One of the most refreshing things about "Falling Sky" was the absolute humanness of all its characters. No one character was 100% good, nor were any 100% bad; they were flawed, each trying to do the best they could in bad situations -- sometimes making things better, sometimes making them worse, but always trying to make them *something.*

    It can't be said that "Falling Sky" was without flaws, but it can be said that, despite its flaws, it managed to rise above and convey something that all too often goes unsaid. Life isn't about happy endings or triumph over tragedy; it's not about making the right choices or even about making the wrong ones. Life is about living, and it's about dying; it about going on, in whatever way it is that you must do it, because that's all that can be done.
  • One of the worse films I'd ever seen! I'm also on a quest to see every Brit Murphy film: She is a memorable performer and under the hands of the right director can bring to life the most adorable and unique characters (who can forget 'Daisy' or 'Elizabeth Berkins'!), but here she follows routine dialogue. The movie doesn't attempt to achieve believability- the way her character is dressed is contrary to her personality, how can they afford a decent house with the scraps they earn, how does someone like mom get a job so conveniently, etc.. Further more, we aren't surprised that they drive a classic car, we are not surprised that the daughter is the brightest kid in literature class, we are not surprised that her mother becomes a filthy ugly stripper in some drunken sleaze-hole, and we sho-as-hell wuzn't surprised nor entertained or even cared that the mom is dumber and more childish than the teenae daughter. Of course- every teenage girl movie must have an arsenal of dumb hormone driven male teens who cause trouble and one of them has to be a cute boy that she absolutely must fall in love with. There's nothing necessarily wrong with the plot being so unoriginal as long as the movie adds fresh material to keep it entertaining (this one doesn't). It lacked the most basic composition of every film- visual style. The music is cheesy. Things happen in the story simply because they'd already happened in other movies of the same formula. The subplots concerning the teenage boys and some hookers were pointless. I don't know why "Falling Sky" was made. Maybe it looked good on paper but then the entire project simply fell apart; probably because neither Brian J. Depalma nor the cast had any vision or enthusiasm for it.
  • "Falling Sky" is a shabby attempt at making a serious drama of the same ilk as "Anywhere But Here" and "Tumbleweeds"; mom/daughter stories where the daughter is the more mature of the two. Fraught with ineptitude in just about every aspect, the tragedy of this film isn't in the story. It's the blotch on the resumes of the cast it creates. Pass on this loser.
  • mambo555514 December 2002
    If you like tear jerkers, this one is for you. If you have ever dealt with suicide, this one is for you. I hate tear jerkers but this is one film that is outstanding. It was genuine and not unrealistic like a lot of movies. this movie is true to what people go through living with an alcoholic and/or dealing with suicide. The acting in this movie was fantastic.
  • mincey777113 April 2012
    2/10
    Lame
    Wow. Yes, the plot is heart-wrenching and the subject matter is sad to those affected in real life. However, this movie is just lame. It's been done SO many times. The daughter is of course, so much more intelligent than the mother, and is predictably the smartest kid in class. And of course she falls for the "cute" troubled kid, who is just as misunderstood as she is. Add in some gratuitous teen drug abuse and you have the making of a perfect after-school special. Oh! How could I forget the totally awesome garage band by the pool scene?!? I was laughing at the kids "rocking out" to it. And the soundtrack is just painful to listen to. I wish I had my 90 minutes back.
  • emotionally wrenching, beautiful film. The cinematography is almost so beautiful it is indescribable. The script is powerful and deep. The final scene i will remember always, the way the light plays on the mountains and the lake. A truly great film.
  • I absolutely loved this film when I saw it yesterday.It's possibly one of the most emotionally heart-wrenching dramas ever made-it actually reminds me a bit fabulous "Requiem for a Dream".The photography is beautiful and the performances by both Britanny Murphy and Karen Allen are simply outstanding.The film is really sad-it actually made me cry a little bit.So if you are ready for emotional roller-coaster check it out.You have been warned!My rating:10 out of 10!
  • Lkbyndtheye6 February 2005
    I thought this was a wonderful film.It brings out what really happens in life.Things that we don't ever think about that happens, but they do.Made me realize how lucky we really are, just to live ,because there is always someone out there that either has it just as bad as you,if not worse.This is a movie you have to watch till the very end to know you like it.If you just watch the first 20 minutes you might feel as if the film is a little boring and out of touch, but if you keep watching you'll enjoy. If your the type of person that has to be entertained throughout the whole movie,perhaps,this isn't the movie for you.Although, if you like things with meaning,you should definitely see.
  • Warning: Spoilers
    Very realistic depiction of what can happen to many that are in the same situation; dealing with alcoholism and a little bit of drug use thrown in at the tail end of the film. Though a sad story, I enjoyed it as the acting was very well done by the entire cast and not overdone. In the end there's a hint that Emily decides to live...not die, so for me the ending was more pleasant than sad. The fade to white let's your imagination wander as to the outcome of the rest of her life.

    This was one of Brittany Murphy's early works and she did a great job, as did Karen Allen, Jeremy Jordan and Lea Moreno. I highly recommend this movie to fans of these actors. The shots of Las Vegas and Lake Mead in the late 1990's are splendid and the use of a real local high school (Valley High School) sets it apart from a typical Hollywood studio set production.
  • Warning: Spoilers
    Possible spoiler (as to parts of the plot)....

    This is a definite must-see movie for anyone who has had to deal with alcoholism or just any major life event that was tragic. Falling Sky is a touching and moving story that made me cry. Brittany did a marvelous and convincing job of portraying a daughter growing up in poverty and dealing with an alcoholic mother. I truly felt sympathetic for her character. Karen Allen did a terrific job playing the mother as well.
  • ROGUEPHOENIX0719 October 2020
    One of Brittany's best movies. Love the song "The Sky Is Falling" during the end credits. Brittany's performance is brilliant. She truly could play any character. The movie is realistic & portrays the struggles with disease & addiction really well. The ending is absolutely perfect. Fantastically written. The entire cast & crew were amazing.
  • Chris you made it! You always said you'd be famous one day! you are an inspiration to all who have dreams. Lea (alli girl) and Montana LYNN CHAMBERS are my favorite in Falling Sky. I wonder why? Anyone who knows Chris from Washington Jr High in the Quad Cities, IL - know he has two left feet and owes me a dance, so I may step all over his feet! I'm proud to say I knew him then and wish him a blessed journey in the industry- I love all the movies and appearances over the years. Chris was a talented teen and I just felt I'd see him on the big screen one day! After I saw one of his plays as a child in IL he soon left the area. Everyone deeply missed him at school, until he started showing up here and there getting parts in various shows. The Great Outdoors is his most famous movie with John Candy.

    Go ahead Chris!

    Jodi Lynn Chambers-Wilson Jax Bch., Florida
  • Warning: Spoilers
    Towards the end of the movie I was thinking how this movie looks as if two directors worked on it - separately. And then the movie ends, and there's a caption with two directors! I am a genius.

    The reason for this is that much of the movie is clichéd, dull and with a crap look to it, and then occasionally there are scenes that are better. My guess is that Brian J. De Palma did the crap parts of the movie and the other guy the less crap parts, because nepotism tends to have a very bad track record – especially when it comes to directors. Brittany Murphy plays her role in a ridiculously affected, shy-girl, whisper-talk way so that it's hard to even understand sometimes what she is saying. She writes poetry, her new English teacher says she is ultra-talented, la-di-da-di-da. She is oh-so wise and gives advice and words of wisdom to everyone. She had an abortion so she doesn't trust guys, etc. It's all rather fluffy. Add to that a mostly crap soundtrack consisting of 90s girl-"rock" lame plinka-plonka ballads, and you've got a turd.

    If you're interested in my "Hollywood Nepotism List", with over 300 pics/entries, contact me by e-mail.
  • Oh My GOD!!!

    i am on a Brittany Murphy film quest, so when i went to rent some DVD's today i saw this in the new release section.

    i want my money back.

    this film sucked big time.

    Karen Allen played such a loser in this film, and Brittney (even though she looked good) was playing a role that seemed to be a cross between her characters in "Girl Interrupted" & "Don't Say A Word".

    if you feel you must see this film, then go ahead....just don't say i didn't warn you first.