If junkies, prostitutes, artists and lowlifes aren’t your thing, you’ll want to stay away from this film. If, on the other hand, you understand the moral problems that come with this sort of territory and the interesting tales that can be produced, you’ll want to see this. “We All Fall Down” is one of those tales — a character study that starts with a death and ends the same way.
Kris (Martin Cummins) is an artist struggling with addiction. His friend, Michael (Darcy Belsher), is an actor looking for a role whose drug abuse gets worse when his mother dies. Things between the two pals quickly start to spiral out of control, and when one tries to get his life back on track he finds out how the universe has other plans for him.
This is not exactly a happy movie, but its overall message is one of hope in the most barren of places. Unfortunately, this hope is not always obtainable, and that is handled realistically. Other films may have gone for the easy way out in order to leave the audience feeling good. This one disregards any such pleasantries.
As an aside, fans of Ryan Reynolds (and he does have a few) will want to check him out in this early role. Those who like him may be quite surprised by his character. Too bad he isn’t in the film enough to make me think he is anything more than a one-note actor.
When discussion turns to great drug movies, this one most likely won’t be on anyone’s list, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth watching. There are some awkward acting moments and some less than realistic dialogue in places, but the overall film is solid enough to warrant its inclusion in multiple film festivals.
