Harry Connick Jr and a New Rom Com: Find Me Falling
By: Russ Matthews
Harry Connick Jr. has had a storied career that includes groundbreaking jazz music, acting throughout the years, and worldwide fame.
Most artists would be satisfied with a small portion of this musician’s work. In Find Me Falling, he taps into his experiences in the music world to bring to life a musician attempting to escape his life of fame while unwittingly confronting his past.
John Allman (Connick) has had everything the world has to offer in his musical career until his recent comeback album failed to capture the attention of fans. This leads the artist to escape to one of his favourite locations, where he had lived before his music career took off on the island nation of Cyprus. The world-renowned musician buys a secluded house that provides a beautiful outlook over the country’s cliffs and ocean views. Yet, he is unaware that this location has become a regular destination for people who hope to end their lives quickly.
As he attempts to come to terms with his tragic purchase, John reacquaints himself with the local community. He befriends the local constable, Captain Manoli (Tony Demetriou), and a grocery delivery person, Melina (Ali Fumiko Whitney), who introduce him to their community’s people and locations. Leading a series of events that cause his past to come back to visit him as he discovers his former love interest, Sia (Agni Scott), still lives in the small town.
Writer/director Stelana Kliris’ storyline has all the nuances of the typical rom-com seen on Netflix over the years. What this Mediterranean tale of love has going for it is the charisma of Harry Connick Jr and the stunning beauty of the Cypriot locations. The musician brings all of his charm and musical abilities to the film, and the stunning settings help overcome this familiar storyline’s shortcomings. Unlike many movies released over the past few years that need to be edited down for the benefit of audiences. Yet, Kliris’ film needed more character and story development to make this a more robust, comedic love story. Her work has the key elements to make something special. Still, it is not given the time needed for any of this to be believable or to stack up to the classic rom-coms of years gone by.
Find Me Falling has a few surprises and wonderful characters. Despite suffering from conventional storytelling, fans of the genre can enjoy something within this familiar setting as they listen to Harry Connick Jr. and local musicians perform wonderfully entertaining songs along the way.
REEL DIALOGUE: Life is worth living…let’s talk about it
This romantic adventure contains a subtle statement about suicide that is tastefully handled and begins to parallel the lead character’s concern for his musical career. This is an element that people should be aware of before embracing this film, but if it gets audiences to appreciate life enough to live it, there might be something to value about Find Me Falling.
This storyline can potentially encourage people to know that God cares for them. God knew us all before anyone was born, and they experienced all of life’s inevitable trials. He sees all of his creation as a masterpiece, as the psalmist says in Psalm 139, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Also, throughout the trials and travails of this time on earth, he provides hope through the work of his son, Jesus, who came to save us and give us access to eternal life. The final message of the Bible and the life of Jesus is to know that anyone can choose to have this hope of eternal life. A life without tears, without wheelchairs and without pain in the presence of God.
Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.
All images: Movie publicity
About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.
