“Find Me Falling,” directed by Stelana Kliris, is a beautiful 90-minute escape to a sun-drenched paradise where people in the Mediterranean take risks for love in a sweet romantic comedy. The movie has lovely songs and magical settings, and Harry Connick Jr., who has won both an Emmy and a Grammy, plays the lead role. Even though the movie is cute, it’s hard to ignore its mixed messages about friendship and independence.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MOVIE
In “Find Me Falling,” Harry Connick Jr. plays retired rock star John Allman, who moves to a remote shack on the rocky cliffs of Cyprus to get away from his old life and the constant playback of his hit song “Girl on the Beach.” The recluse’s plans are thrown off when he learns that his house is a popular place for sad people to kill themselves. John makes friends with villagers like police captain Manoli (Tony Demetriou) and grocery store owner Koula (Lea Maleni) while he builds a fence to keep people out. Melina, played by Ali Fumiko Whitney, is Koula’s niece and a tavern singer. She brings John groceries and sparks up a new relationship with him. John, Melina and her doctor mother Sia (Agni Scott) are at a crossroads when a long-kept secret about Melina comes out.
The movie is a typical romantic comedy, but Kliris skillfully mixes comedy and drama, capturing the essence of Cypriot culture. Connick Jr. shines with his biting wit and moving performances, especially when he sings the movie’s original ballad. Angeliki Filipidou gives a great performance as Sia’s mother Marikou. Her grounded charm makes the role stand out. the film delves into a complex web of secrets and deception that leaves viewers questioning what is real and what is fiction.
IS THE MOVIE FIND ME FALLING ON NETFLIX BASED ON A TRUE STORY?
Donald Taylor Ritchie A.K.A Don Ritchie was an Australian man who lived near a notorious suicide spot in Sydney and saved many lives through kindness and compassion. Stelana Kliris got ideas for “Find Me Falling” from his story. Ritchie and his wife Moya lived at The Gap, a rocky cliff at the entrance to Sydney Harbor. If he saw someone trying to climb the fence or standing on the edge, he would invite them to his house for tea and offer comfort and a listening ear. Ritchie and his wife lived there for more than fifty years. He is said to have saved more than 189 lives, but he never kept track. Even though his family says it’s more like 500. Ritchie was given the Medal of the Order of Australia for his work in 2006, and he and his wife were named Citizens of the Year in 2010. Ritchie passed away on May 13, 2012, he was 85 years old. He is survived by his three daughters, and his wife Moya.
Kliris started writing “Find Me Falling” after reading an article about Ritchie. She thought about what it would be like for someone who was having a bad time in their life to be in the same situation. The movie was also affected by her own life and her love of romantic stories. Kliris said in an interview, “I read a lovely article about a kind man in Australia who lived near a suicide hot spot and saved many lives, and I wondered what that would look like if a misanthrope lived in a similar spot, and the story developed from there. Eventually, in the script, the character became a rock star in crisis, and suddenly, Harry Connick Jr. became the perfect choice for the role.”
The movie shows that Kliris thought about things like legacy and sacrifice. She said, “I think a big theme for me is sacrifice, often having to make a big choice between love, dreams, family, or your obligations. I feel like that’s a very human thing that everybody goes through at some point, and I’ve noticed it’s something that definitely comes up in my shorts or my features.”
One of the real-life stories that inspired “Find Me Falling” is that of Don Ritchie, who was known as the “Guardian Angel” because he helped save lives at a Sydney suicide hotspot. Stelana Kliris builds a touching story around this idea, making a movie that looks at love, sacrifice, and leaving a legacy. “Find Me Falling” is a charming trip to the beautiful island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean. Harry Connick Jr. and a talented cast make it even more enjoyable.
You can check tvacute.com again soon for more news, previews, and reviews about Find Me Falling.
