Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: FALLING STARS [Fantastic Fest 2023 - Austin, Texas]
A life spent in fear of the unknown is usually reflected in the ability to take responsibility. in "Falling Stars", a group of brothers decide to take on the superstition of harvest when witches descend from the sky into a valley in San Bernadino. A group of people living out in the sticks seemingly decide to test the superstitions knowing full well the danger behind them. Mike (Shawn Duke) has a context of the power unleashed but also the lack of foresight when he brings younger brothers Gabriel and Adam. What is definitely an interesting casting choice is having a girl play Adam. Rene Lech brings something different that adds a distinctive feeling of depth which leads right to the last shot. The film does seem to engage in extended dialogue, some for good, some for bad. Diane Worman plays Danni,the mother of the boys who seems lost in her own world but also at times overcome by the capacity and intent of a witch herself. Her subtle details and animal-like choices are quite dynamic. There is a wisp of Ellen Barkin and Holly Hunter in her delivery.
Her recounting of a path not taken in a specifically placed monologue is crucial to the story but loses wind about halfway though, when it should have been shorter. The side story of Meg and Rob, two parents who seem fated by just the slightest lack of sense, show the essence of stakes. The film uses reactions more then visuals to illustrate its point. Some of these verbose exchanges teeter on the melodramatic when simply an action where thin air feels like a void are much better handled. The rules have validity but alot of them including marking of the ring really don't reflect the danger of a new witch, even though that is what is inferred. As the impetus of darkness descending reflects on the town, Mike tries to reach out in a certain way to make his pursuit worth something. An interesting reflection on the media and the need to listen ensues which leads to a bleak, if not reverberating ending which shows that the circle keeps turning whether or not anyone takes heed of its eventual revolution. B+
By Tim Wassberg
