Watch Empire Falls For Free

To me, this movie is perfection.

Excellent but underrated film

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This story of the goings-on in a small Maine town does not deliver at the level one would expect given the cast, the high production values, and the Pulitzer Prize source. Though long at almost four hours, it could have benefited from being either shorter or longer. If shorter, then it could have concentrated on the Columbine-style shooting, or on Miles Roby's struggles, but not both. As it is I felt there was too much voice-over and dialog aimed at getting us up to speed with the characters and intricate plotting while the shooting and its after-effects were not dealt with in enough detail. Too often I was aware of the movie's being scripted instead of feeling I was getting to know real people. Ed Harris turned in a good performance as Miles Roby and I did have the feeling that he was a real character struggling with some deep personal problems. But Paul Newman as Miles' father Max seemed a bit buffoonish as did Dennis Farina as "The Silver Fox." Did anyone believe that Max could abscond with church monies to fund a trip to Florida accompanied by a senile priest no less? The scene with Max in the Florida bar surrounded by adoring women was quite unbelievable - he would have been just another old man among many. Not to dwell too much on this, but the scene that really bothered me was with Miles doing battle with his broken glove box. I can understand that scene was put in there to show how generally frustrated Miles was that such a small thing could be so irritating, but when he was finally able to latch the thing and leave the car I said to myself, "Please don't have that door come open." But the screenwriter could not resist going for the cheap laugh.There was too much dialog, voice-over, and text frames wanting to deliver messages on love, life, and acceptance. The metaphor of life as a river has been a bit overworked by now I think. And using the final sentence from "The Great Gatsby" more than once seemed like an attempt at borrowed glory.The one standout for me was Lou Taylor Pucci as John Voss (the poor tormented outcast). He played the part as if he were a wounded animal, which I guess he was.Altogether too much going on for me.

Excellent production--great cast, director, cinematography, etc., all in aid of making a superior soaper. Will the mean old rich lady get her comeuppance? (organ chord) Will Milt find out who his *real* father is? (organ chord) Will Becky and Ralph get back together again? (organ chord)Tossing in a Columbine-type element doesn't add the "contemporary" touch that the writer hoped would elevate this beyond soap. Without it, all that would be missing would be the Palmolive ads; with it, we just get the heavy hand of nastiness.Several have mentioned Nobody's Fool (a truly great movie) as a parallel, but that's like comparing King Lear with Days of Our Lives.

I witnessed the filming of a movie in Maine back in 1986 so was curious to see how they'd do in another town. I think they did a good job. I found myself looking as much as details as following the storyline. My only complaint is that they did not have a voice coach, or if they did, s/he had a hearing problem. While Maine has many dialects, the vowels are fairly consistent per speaker. It's rare to hear someone use START and CAHD. It's STAHT and CAHD or START and CARD. It's the inconsistencies that tend to drive the locals crazy, and there were plenty in this film.But the story was poignant, and piercingly accurate in so many ways. The flashbacks were wonderful, and they segued into the present almost seamlessly. The set and wardrobe were unassuming, as they are in real life, and that which stands out is an individual perception. Just like life.

You have read so many positive reviews, and they are right on the mark. I also agree that you should read the book, and Russo's "Nobody's Fool," - a laugh-out-loud book. This film is a metaphor - but not just about New England. It is a metaphor for what is happening in our country today: greed, corruption, power and control.To lighten up here a bit, if you enjoy deeply drawn characters and are fascinated by psychodynamics, growth and development, jealousy and betrayal, the kindness and the cruelty of children, the power of love, the uncertainty of which direction to choose, the puzzles of our dreams and our nightmares, and what courage it takes to follow one's deepest desires and to be true to oneself, you will love this film.