I doubt 'After the Fall' was conceived as a sequel to 'Falling Down' but the movies do have a similar subject. Wes Bentley plays the protagonist, who begins to have money issues after losing his job. His character is completely unsympathetic, a sociopath who lies easily to his family and goes on an increasingly reckless crime spree because he's too prideful to ask for money from his father-in-law. Instead, he robs complete strangers at gunpoint with an astonishing lack of anxiety or hesitation; he moves like a career criminal with no fear of getting caught. His occasional indulgence in rants and his spontaneous petty interventions suggest a desire for social justice, but his actions are transparently hypocritical and the film has established that nothing he says can be believed. It's hard to see any arc of development at all in this character because Bentley doesn't emote. He never varies his facial expressions beyond a look of frustrated detachment - his eyes never change, his face doesn't move; he walks quietly through dry scenes set to meditative music posing with the same look in every shot, and he never experiences remorse. His wife (Vinessa Shaw) is a trophy, a prop to suggest his motivation, but she's so completely oblivious and implausibly stupid, she doesn't interact enough to actually humanize him. There are plenty of scenes of his children happily playing or asking questions. The implication is that Bentley never swallows his pride because he cares for his family - that alone should justify lying to them and sadistically hurting whoever he wants. This movie will be of special interest to you if you think your wife is useless and your children are such a burden, it could justify murder and suicide.
16 Reviews
Unusual but has its moments
Rodrigo_Amaro22 December 2014
The film's poster convinces us that what we're about to see is another ordinary action film, with touches of an empathic and gripping drama destined to make us support the main character's actions. Don't be fooled by that image. "After the Fall" is a good drama with small portions of action, and the latter isn't all that compelling or exciting. Wes Bentley stars as a desperate man who takes extreme measures after losing job and being unable to take care of his family, surrounded by debts after debts. His only option: committing crimes, mugging the residents of his small town. On his trail there's a decadent detective (Jason Isaacs) who is trying to catch this new suspect who appeared in town all of sudden, but they barely knew they would cross paths early on and become buddies who are stuck in saddening times, with their personal crisis and just trying to find a way to live their lives.
More artistic than entertaining, "After the Fall" treats its themes by appropriating itself of some of Terrence Malick's techniques - though more conventional to mainstream audiences - with the use of the main character's narration remembering the lovely times he had with his family in their big house and their pool, describing the love and care he had for his wife and kids; and also appropriates of some "Breaking Bad" elements, without ever getting on the same level of greatness. Mr. Saar Klein's debut as director comes across as simple-minded, clichéd yet manageable and interesting due to the performances of Bentley and Isaacs (who steals the show, this time without playing the villain). Bentley was a decent anti-hero, you get easily involved with his obstacles, and enjoy each time he tries to help people in worst conditions than him (like the female cashier - but hey at least she has a job, awful but still), almost getting close to being a hero (helping the old man who spotted him before a robbery at a drugstore).
And if the movie loses points is because of its lack of alternatives and unusual conceptions. Why the lead character never, at no point, tries to get another job? He's stuck in that weird business, still trying to impress his former boss when he's no longer part of the company in ages. That part was really strange. And since when stealing pocket money from other people can be enough to make one rescue his taken car? He survives from stealing to stealing, and it's all very unconvincing. I won't even mention the solution given at the conclusion which the writer simply fast forward with a plausible explanation.
Here's another modern treaty about the swifty American dream; there's always crisis and always unexpected solutions but family always comes first. Even though you're about to lose them. 6/10
More artistic than entertaining, "After the Fall" treats its themes by appropriating itself of some of Terrence Malick's techniques - though more conventional to mainstream audiences - with the use of the main character's narration remembering the lovely times he had with his family in their big house and their pool, describing the love and care he had for his wife and kids; and also appropriates of some "Breaking Bad" elements, without ever getting on the same level of greatness. Mr. Saar Klein's debut as director comes across as simple-minded, clichéd yet manageable and interesting due to the performances of Bentley and Isaacs (who steals the show, this time without playing the villain). Bentley was a decent anti-hero, you get easily involved with his obstacles, and enjoy each time he tries to help people in worst conditions than him (like the female cashier - but hey at least she has a job, awful but still), almost getting close to being a hero (helping the old man who spotted him before a robbery at a drugstore).
And if the movie loses points is because of its lack of alternatives and unusual conceptions. Why the lead character never, at no point, tries to get another job? He's stuck in that weird business, still trying to impress his former boss when he's no longer part of the company in ages. That part was really strange. And since when stealing pocket money from other people can be enough to make one rescue his taken car? He survives from stealing to stealing, and it's all very unconvincing. I won't even mention the solution given at the conclusion which the writer simply fast forward with a plausible explanation.
Here's another modern treaty about the swifty American dream; there's always crisis and always unexpected solutions but family always comes first. Even though you're about to lose them. 6/10
Over Simplified
jeroduptown2 September 2021
JUST THINGS PEOPLE DO
nogodnomasters11 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Bill Scanlon (Wes Bentley) is an overly honest insurance adjuster who just wants to provide for his wife (Vinessa Shaw) and two children. His dad was a policeman and he doesn't see eye to eye with his father-in-law. Fifteen minutes into the film we discover...or if you read the by-lines (PLOT SPOILER) he has been layed off and can't find a job. He has been lying to his wife about his situation.
Bill becomes an unlikely second story man, and while it pays the bills, he is really awkward at it. He has befriended a policeman (Jason Isaacs) who knew his father which complicates things.
The problem I had with the film, and why others may like it, was the dry unrealistic character of the main actor. He was overly honest without being religious. His ignorance of pool maintenance was inane. The crime scenes lacked any real excitement, as this was a character study of someone who wasn't close to being real.
If you want an action or crime film, go elsewhere. This production was a winner at the Deauville Film Festival, so maybe it's just me. I couldn't wait for it to end.
Guide: F-bomb, sex, butt nudity (Wes Bentley)
Bill becomes an unlikely second story man, and while it pays the bills, he is really awkward at it. He has befriended a policeman (Jason Isaacs) who knew his father which complicates things.
The problem I had with the film, and why others may like it, was the dry unrealistic character of the main actor. He was overly honest without being religious. His ignorance of pool maintenance was inane. The crime scenes lacked any real excitement, as this was a character study of someone who wasn't close to being real.
If you want an action or crime film, go elsewhere. This production was a winner at the Deauville Film Festival, so maybe it's just me. I couldn't wait for it to end.
Guide: F-bomb, sex, butt nudity (Wes Bentley)
Things people film
kosmasp24 June 2014
It's a very difficult movie to sell. Our main character is not really that likable, with some traits that a Hollywood Blockbuster would attribute to its bad guy. But this is not a Hollywood movie, so if you're looking for senseless entertainment, you'd be better off looking somewhere else for that.
No this is a character study, which is well played by Wes Bentley. Even though he seems to be pigeonholed into this sort of a role, you still cannot deny his charisma and his power to portray men in despair. His looks/face alone is worth a lot. But him alone is not enough, you need someone like Jason Isaacs to balance all that stuff. Another man with issues of his own, these two men seem to find each other, even without looking. The "friendship" that ensues is not one that seems to have long lasting power though ... but you'll have to watch the movie, to see how that drama and web of lies unfolds ...
No this is a character study, which is well played by Wes Bentley. Even though he seems to be pigeonholed into this sort of a role, you still cannot deny his charisma and his power to portray men in despair. His looks/face alone is worth a lot. But him alone is not enough, you need someone like Jason Isaacs to balance all that stuff. Another man with issues of his own, these two men seem to find each other, even without looking. The "friendship" that ensues is not one that seems to have long lasting power though ... but you'll have to watch the movie, to see how that drama and web of lies unfolds ...
Oh boy. It's really bad
Nevergivea1027 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
If you told me they made this movie up as they went along, I'd believe it. At one point, the lead is in a car wash. Then with no explanation he's walking with a gun through the desert. Then he does a robbery. That's all in about five minutes. Then we'll throw in a drunken cop who doesn't bowl but is always in a bowling alley. Nothing in this movie made any sense. On top of that get ready for a nap. It's so slow.
Better Than I Expected
MovieHoliks5 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this available on Netflix a little while back, and it looked to me like one of those countless direct-to-demand B-movie releases, but this film actually turned out quite good.
Wes Bentley, who I read had taken an absence from acting due to a drug habit, returns to acting as a family man and insurance claim investigator, who upon losing his job turns to a life of crime. He befriends a detective played by Jason Isaacs ("The Patriot"), who I had to look up to remind myself who he is. He is quite good in this as well- gives a very subtle performance as a flawed, yet decent man, trying to do the right thing in a world that makes that difficult.
Now I will say this about this film. Possible *SPOILER*. I actually expected much greater catastrophe than what actually ends up going down, and thought that maybe the director should have went down that path a little more, but overall, I enjoyed this film. If you're expecting an action-packed thriller, this is not the film for you- it's much slower- moving and more thoughtful. And kudos for a nice return-to-acting performance from Wes Bentley- I always liked his style; especially the way he can be so powerful with the expressions in his eyes. I've noticed this about him ever since his breakout performance in the 1999 Oscar winner, "American Beauty". Vinessa Shaw and Keith Carradine co-star.
Wes Bentley, who I read had taken an absence from acting due to a drug habit, returns to acting as a family man and insurance claim investigator, who upon losing his job turns to a life of crime. He befriends a detective played by Jason Isaacs ("The Patriot"), who I had to look up to remind myself who he is. He is quite good in this as well- gives a very subtle performance as a flawed, yet decent man, trying to do the right thing in a world that makes that difficult.
Now I will say this about this film. Possible *SPOILER*. I actually expected much greater catastrophe than what actually ends up going down, and thought that maybe the director should have went down that path a little more, but overall, I enjoyed this film. If you're expecting an action-packed thriller, this is not the film for you- it's much slower- moving and more thoughtful. And kudos for a nice return-to-acting performance from Wes Bentley- I always liked his style; especially the way he can be so powerful with the expressions in his eyes. I've noticed this about him ever since his breakout performance in the 1999 Oscar winner, "American Beauty". Vinessa Shaw and Keith Carradine co-star.
Pretentious Schlock Pretending to Be Weighty
Jakealope5 May 2022
West Bentley plays the lead "Bill Scanlon" an insurance adjuster father and husband who got laid off after he bought a way too expensive suburban house in Albuquerque NM. But he is too proud to even tell his wife. So one day after he walks out into the neighboring desert to waste himself with an old revolver he finds he can't do it. So he wonders into a model house of a new subdivision where he finds a couple having sex, some sort of affair. So he ends up "accidentally" robbing them, then realizes sticking people up is lucrative and even fun.
So he embarks on a life of crime while still pretending to be working and even meets a down at his heels seedy detective played by the great Jason Isaac. He befriends them then takes them out in the desert where he gives the younger Bill a shooting lesson, after finding out Bill's dad was a cop. All sorts of things happen like his wife finds out he is out of a job and decamps with the kids to her dad's house. Our hero then decides to fill the pool in because "pools are such a hassle" even as he tries to unload the too big defaulting house. Then his wife comes back, why?
He also tries to play the good guy by threatening various hold up victims like a manager of a convenience store who was nasty to a cute employee he liked. The movie premiered at some German film festival where the audience ate it up as a perfect example of the rotten American dream and the rotten nuclear family.
I didn't buy it, especially with its dreamy camera work, slow pacing and emo score. It was just schlock pretending to be profound.
So he embarks on a life of crime while still pretending to be working and even meets a down at his heels seedy detective played by the great Jason Isaac. He befriends them then takes them out in the desert where he gives the younger Bill a shooting lesson, after finding out Bill's dad was a cop. All sorts of things happen like his wife finds out he is out of a job and decamps with the kids to her dad's house. Our hero then decides to fill the pool in because "pools are such a hassle" even as he tries to unload the too big defaulting house. Then his wife comes back, why?
He also tries to play the good guy by threatening various hold up victims like a manager of a convenience store who was nasty to a cute employee he liked. The movie premiered at some German film festival where the audience ate it up as a perfect example of the rotten American dream and the rotten nuclear family.
I didn't buy it, especially with its dreamy camera work, slow pacing and emo score. It was just schlock pretending to be profound.
Explores the human reaction to loss of job and dignity.
TxMike14 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I found this movie on Netflix streaming movies. It is a rather quiet movie, often seems like not much is happening, but it is an interesting character study and Wes Bentley is superb.
It happens in real life, I've seen it on the news, an otherwise honorable family man will turn to crime, usually some sort of theft, and we later find out (after he is captured) that he was just trying to make ends meet. This is the essence of this fictional story.
Wes Bentley is insurance adjuster Bill Scanlon. But he is a bit too honest for this job, and his employer thinks his adjusters should make it more difficult for clients to collect when they have a claim. He lets Bill go. But Bill has a nice home in the Albuquerque area, plus a wife and two young sons.
Bill is too embarrassed to tell them, he continues to appear to go to work while trying to figure out ways to keep away foreclosure and loss of his car. He resorts to pawning what he has that is most valuable.
Sinking deeper into a funk Bill takes the gun he had saved from his dad, a former police officer, goes into the desert to contemplate his options, it seems he is even thinking suicide might be the answer. But he doesn't and wanders over to a new housing complex to find water. It is mostly deserted but as he wanders around a model home hears noises and walks in on a couple, not married to each other, having loud sex in a side room.
Startled and seeing a gun in his hand they began to ask him not to shoot, they offered Bill all their money, and tell him "No one can find out about this." Bill was bewildered, he wandered into theft quite by accident, but it gave him an idea. This might just be his ticket out of debt, at least until he gets a new job.
The story is well-written and authentic. Vinessa Shaw who plays his wife Susan Scanlon begins to get suspicious. As does new friend Jason Isaacs as detective Frank McTiernan, who it seemed had quite accidentally met Bill at a bowling alley but in fact had known about Bill's dad.
Good movie, better than its rather low IMDb rating might indicate. Wes Bentley is just super in this role and it makes one think "What would I do if I found myself in that situation?" Bill never started out to be a thief, he just stumbled into it. But where will it lead and what will it end up being?
SPOILERS: Soon some other man gets arrested and charged with the thefts that Bill had done. Being basically a good and caring person he wanted to do something to help, he even looked up the man's house and was going to leave a gift. But McTiernan by that time had pretty much figured out it was Scanlon and gave him some advice. Bill managed to let it go, later we see him as a real estate agent and he is showing a home for sale. He has gotten back on his feet, but as he later drives through town and stops at a light, he sees the police station across from him, the movie ends as we assume he is still mulling over whether he should admit to what he has done.
It happens in real life, I've seen it on the news, an otherwise honorable family man will turn to crime, usually some sort of theft, and we later find out (after he is captured) that he was just trying to make ends meet. This is the essence of this fictional story.
Wes Bentley is insurance adjuster Bill Scanlon. But he is a bit too honest for this job, and his employer thinks his adjusters should make it more difficult for clients to collect when they have a claim. He lets Bill go. But Bill has a nice home in the Albuquerque area, plus a wife and two young sons.
Bill is too embarrassed to tell them, he continues to appear to go to work while trying to figure out ways to keep away foreclosure and loss of his car. He resorts to pawning what he has that is most valuable.
Sinking deeper into a funk Bill takes the gun he had saved from his dad, a former police officer, goes into the desert to contemplate his options, it seems he is even thinking suicide might be the answer. But he doesn't and wanders over to a new housing complex to find water. It is mostly deserted but as he wanders around a model home hears noises and walks in on a couple, not married to each other, having loud sex in a side room.
Startled and seeing a gun in his hand they began to ask him not to shoot, they offered Bill all their money, and tell him "No one can find out about this." Bill was bewildered, he wandered into theft quite by accident, but it gave him an idea. This might just be his ticket out of debt, at least until he gets a new job.
The story is well-written and authentic. Vinessa Shaw who plays his wife Susan Scanlon begins to get suspicious. As does new friend Jason Isaacs as detective Frank McTiernan, who it seemed had quite accidentally met Bill at a bowling alley but in fact had known about Bill's dad.
Good movie, better than its rather low IMDb rating might indicate. Wes Bentley is just super in this role and it makes one think "What would I do if I found myself in that situation?" Bill never started out to be a thief, he just stumbled into it. But where will it lead and what will it end up being?
SPOILERS: Soon some other man gets arrested and charged with the thefts that Bill had done. Being basically a good and caring person he wanted to do something to help, he even looked up the man's house and was going to leave a gift. But McTiernan by that time had pretty much figured out it was Scanlon and gave him some advice. Bill managed to let it go, later we see him as a real estate agent and he is showing a home for sale. He has gotten back on his feet, but as he later drives through town and stops at a light, he sees the police station across from him, the movie ends as we assume he is still mulling over whether he should admit to what he has done.
Decent movie but nothing amazing
Seth_Rogue_One23 July 2016
First off I'd like to point out that the poster is clearly trying to make this look like a action-movie which is so far from what this is.
The poster seem to try to sell it as a new 'ASSAULT ON WALLSTREET (2013)' or something, and although there are some similarities between the two (both about 2 down on their luck men that lose their job and their mental state goes on a downward spiral) the approach and resolution is completely different.
Won't go into any details but yeah if you're watching it and waiting for some kick ass action to kick off you'll most likely be a bit disappointed.
I can't go into details without starting to spoil stuff so I'll just say that the movie-direction is a bit 'dreamy' at times like a little vague, even though the actual plot is fairly simple.
It doesn't come together 100% but the good outweighs the bad, Wes Bentley is fairly good but Jason Isaacs is probably the best actor of the film and helps carry the film back up from the ground occasionally by just delivering a natural and charismatic performance.
The poster seem to try to sell it as a new 'ASSAULT ON WALLSTREET (2013)' or something, and although there are some similarities between the two (both about 2 down on their luck men that lose their job and their mental state goes on a downward spiral) the approach and resolution is completely different.
Won't go into any details but yeah if you're watching it and waiting for some kick ass action to kick off you'll most likely be a bit disappointed.
I can't go into details without starting to spoil stuff so I'll just say that the movie-direction is a bit 'dreamy' at times like a little vague, even though the actual plot is fairly simple.
It doesn't come together 100% but the good outweighs the bad, Wes Bentley is fairly good but Jason Isaacs is probably the best actor of the film and helps carry the film back up from the ground occasionally by just delivering a natural and charismatic performance.
Our Protagonist is an Unsympathetic Moron.
junelepage9 October 2017
Our Protagonist is both an idiot and an unsympathetic moron. It absolutely blows my mind why this character would be written by this. This is not a "character study". The Direction and Performances present him as a "family man" and a "loving dad", while the writing portrays him as a sociopath. Meshed together, it makes a sickeningly stupid film.
Moral dilemmas, liberation and responsibility
colin-johnson15021 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Enjoyable throughout, each character is portrayed with quality and skill, even those with small rolls enhanced the film with realism.
Cinematography, direction production, all very skillful, although I can't claim to understand everything, particularly the Coyote and the meandering shots of wilderness on the horizon.
Thought provoking and challenging, the film continues to ask questions long after the final credits roll.
*slight spoiler* The main characters journey through conformity through liberation, and then ultimate responsibility is a refreshing change from the all too often one dimensional 'stars' today.
Cinematography, direction production, all very skillful, although I can't claim to understand everything, particularly the Coyote and the meandering shots of wilderness on the horizon.
Thought provoking and challenging, the film continues to ask questions long after the final credits roll.
*slight spoiler* The main characters journey through conformity through liberation, and then ultimate responsibility is a refreshing change from the all too often one dimensional 'stars' today.
This film should not have been made
belindar-22 January 2020
This film should not have been made. The only thing I like about was the concept and the title. I have seen some bad movies but this is in the top two. Anybody who has an hour and three quarter to waist, have at it. But if your time means anything to you, do not take this time out of your life for this junk. It is a minus one on any scale of measurement.
Rather Depressing Fair...Now Where Did I Put That Cut-Throat Razor?
omendata27 August 2017
In an age of despair and poverty why is it the film makers continue to churn out desperately sad and lugubrious movies like these I don't know!
Yes the film explores what its like to be unemployed with a wife and kids losing your house and the need for some to resort to crime , I have been there myself but its not really the sort of movie I want to be watching.
Maybe its just me but i want to come out of the cinema like I used to in what i call the good old days when you came out feeling enervated , uplifted and positive about life.
If you are into this sort of depressing , dull and real life scenario then I guess you will enjoy it but for me its too close to home and doesn't leave the viewer with a positive outlook on life, so if you are depressed and sad or your life isn't going well I wouldn't watch this as you may be reaching for the razor!
Yes the film explores what its like to be unemployed with a wife and kids losing your house and the need for some to resort to crime , I have been there myself but its not really the sort of movie I want to be watching.
Maybe its just me but i want to come out of the cinema like I used to in what i call the good old days when you came out feeling enervated , uplifted and positive about life.
If you are into this sort of depressing , dull and real life scenario then I guess you will enjoy it but for me its too close to home and doesn't leave the viewer with a positive outlook on life, so if you are depressed and sad or your life isn't going well I wouldn't watch this as you may be reaching for the razor!
Poor character study, low effort stumbling around
Xavier_Stone25 January 2024
If the movie title was changed to Low Effort Stumbling Around, then perhaps this would have made a bit more sense. This is just painful to watch at times, and we have to endure some teenage writing. A horse walks into a bar, why the long face type writing. This is a line in the movie which gives you an idea.
After someone loses their job and things get tight, most people are going to feel some sort of stress. Here we have a guy who does the most idiotic stuff possible and does it several times and I'm not sure what the point that the writer/director had.
After reviewing the writer's work we can see that it's limited with low scores. The director is actually a film editor and this is his first attempt in the main chair, most likely his last.
If your goal is to make a mundane, slow and boring movie about lifeless characters than you succeeded Saar Klein, otherwise go back to editing.
After someone loses their job and things get tight, most people are going to feel some sort of stress. Here we have a guy who does the most idiotic stuff possible and does it several times and I'm not sure what the point that the writer/director had.
After reviewing the writer's work we can see that it's limited with low scores. The director is actually a film editor and this is his first attempt in the main chair, most likely his last.
If your goal is to make a mundane, slow and boring movie about lifeless characters than you succeeded Saar Klein, otherwise go back to editing.
Much more relevant during George Bush house foreclosure year than now
jordondave-2808526 December 2023
(2014) After The Fall
DRAMA/ CRIME DRAMA
Co-written and directed by Saar Klein starring Wes Bentley as insurance investigator, Bill Scanlon who has just begin to put some money into a new house with a swimming pool and so forth, learns he is being laid off putting him in a tight spot. To proud to tell his wife about it, he thinks the the only solution is to us the family revolver to shoot himself. Only for him to accidentally rob a couple and enjoying it. What happened next is ludicrous is when a detective, Frank McTiernan (Jason Iasaac) is involve. Based on a time when George Bush JR was President foreclosing many homes.
Co-written and directed by Saar Klein starring Wes Bentley as insurance investigator, Bill Scanlon who has just begin to put some money into a new house with a swimming pool and so forth, learns he is being laid off putting him in a tight spot. To proud to tell his wife about it, he thinks the the only solution is to us the family revolver to shoot himself. Only for him to accidentally rob a couple and enjoying it. What happened next is ludicrous is when a detective, Frank McTiernan (Jason Iasaac) is involve. Based on a time when George Bush JR was President foreclosing many homes.
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