Taking the Fall is a coming of age story that deals with the pressures of growing up in millennial society. Tyler (Munro Chambers) has just been released after six years in prison. When he meets up with some former college friends, he comes to realize they have changed greatly.
Movies about people who are trying to reintegrate into society tend to be some of the most relatable. Whether it is a person returning from the military, incarceration, or a long trip overseas, there is a familiarity. Who does not understand the feeling of returning to something and finding out nothing is as remembered?
Taking the Fall uses this conceit and plants it in today’s society. Again, this is a common story device. Tyler’s friends have grown distant from each other and seemed to have changed for the worse. This is also why it is so important for these types of films to have interesting characters. This is even more important since what seems to be the movie’s key selling point of having the story be modern. Coming of age stories are common in all generations. The era will garner some interest, but it is the people that push things over the top.
Chambers is excellent in the lead role. The plot is centered around Tyler’s perspective and what he is learning about his friends and the world he is reentering. Taking the Fall shows his awkwardness and the near inability to adjust. There is also a sense of discovery and regret. It is not a revolutionary character, but Chambers makes the most of it.
The rest of the cast does not stand out as much. This is not the fault of the actors. It is more about the setting. Taking the Fall takes place primarily in one location. This is fine when the characters are deeply fleshed out. And there is an attempt here. There is the friend who remained in contact while Tyler was in prison and the ex-girlfriend who is now engaged, but still has feelings for him.
There are also efforts to show the selfish and greedy side of modern culture. This works to an extent, but it is also overly familiar. Essentially, Taking the Fall lives up to audience expectations of what a coming of age movie should be. In other words, it is an engaging film that is a little more common that it cares to admit.
Taking the Fall releases on VOD platforms April 9
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