Like Charlie Brown, you have to be ok with watching someone keep failing over and over to enjoy this movie. On the surface he's a pathetic looser that can't stay on the right track to save his life, but he's got a never give up spirit and that's what makes it interesting watch!
25 Reviews
A Bummer of a Christmas for Jon
lavatch27 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Jon, the protagonist of "Fall City," must have the worst luck of anyone on the planet! Even when he returns home to spend the holidays with his parents, the poor guy can't catch a break. While this Christmas film had an occasional uplifting moment, the overall effect on poor John was hardly a Christmas to remember!
The film makes it clear that Jon had a rough upbringing. He had a close relationship to his grandfather, whose death impacted both Jon and his absent father. Jon wasn't a stellar student, and eventually he stopped going to classes, was placed on academic probation, and finally dropped out of college in Washington. He never sustained a job and eventually spent time in prison on a felony charge. In fact the film's opening scenes shows Jon engaging in petty theft after being evicted from his apartment for failing to make rent.
He returns home for the holidays, and his parents greet him by insisting that he pay them rent! Jon gets a temporary job in the local post office, mopping floors and kowtowing to his supervisor who was his nemesis as they were growing up. Eventually, the two men will be competing for the job of assistant manager at the post office. Guess who will get the job? Eventually, the two men will be competing for a woman? Guess who will get the girl?
The highlight of Jon's Christmas is meeting a nice young hair stylist who appears to be a single mom. But, no, the divorce is not finalized, and the man to whom she is separated is Jon's rival at the post office, Derek!
John breaks bread with the young woman named Olivia and her little girl Adriel. Olivia also gives Jon a haircut that completely transforms his physical appearance. Inside, Jon is changed by the growing friendship with and attraction to Olivia. Of course, there will be major complications when Olivia considers reuniting with Derek.
In the meantime, Jon cannot avoid the long arm of the law, even when he dresses up like Santa Claus and delivers letters to children throughout the town. The little kids had written letters to Santa at the North Pole c/o the post office, and Jon took the time to write personal replies. Both Jon's father and mother may turn on a dime and become snippy and confrontational with their son. Olivia too is unpredictable in her mood swings, as she faces the pressure of financial insolvency. Sadly, the most soulful encounter for Jon is a long-distance call from his brother, who is serving in Afghanistan.
At one point in the film, Olivia joyously cried out, "Now this is Christmas!" as she and Jon were listening to Christmas songs. Unfortunately for Jon, he will be spending Christmas Eve sleeping under a pile of leaves as the police are hot in pursuit. And Christmas Day will not bring any more joy to this most unlucky soul. This will be a bummer of a Christmas for Jon!
The film makes it clear that Jon had a rough upbringing. He had a close relationship to his grandfather, whose death impacted both Jon and his absent father. Jon wasn't a stellar student, and eventually he stopped going to classes, was placed on academic probation, and finally dropped out of college in Washington. He never sustained a job and eventually spent time in prison on a felony charge. In fact the film's opening scenes shows Jon engaging in petty theft after being evicted from his apartment for failing to make rent.
He returns home for the holidays, and his parents greet him by insisting that he pay them rent! Jon gets a temporary job in the local post office, mopping floors and kowtowing to his supervisor who was his nemesis as they were growing up. Eventually, the two men will be competing for the job of assistant manager at the post office. Guess who will get the job? Eventually, the two men will be competing for a woman? Guess who will get the girl?
The highlight of Jon's Christmas is meeting a nice young hair stylist who appears to be a single mom. But, no, the divorce is not finalized, and the man to whom she is separated is Jon's rival at the post office, Derek!
John breaks bread with the young woman named Olivia and her little girl Adriel. Olivia also gives Jon a haircut that completely transforms his physical appearance. Inside, Jon is changed by the growing friendship with and attraction to Olivia. Of course, there will be major complications when Olivia considers reuniting with Derek.
In the meantime, Jon cannot avoid the long arm of the law, even when he dresses up like Santa Claus and delivers letters to children throughout the town. The little kids had written letters to Santa at the North Pole c/o the post office, and Jon took the time to write personal replies. Both Jon's father and mother may turn on a dime and become snippy and confrontational with their son. Olivia too is unpredictable in her mood swings, as she faces the pressure of financial insolvency. Sadly, the most soulful encounter for Jon is a long-distance call from his brother, who is serving in Afghanistan.
At one point in the film, Olivia joyously cried out, "Now this is Christmas!" as she and Jon were listening to Christmas songs. Unfortunately for Jon, he will be spending Christmas Eve sleeping under a pile of leaves as the police are hot in pursuit. And Christmas Day will not bring any more joy to this most unlucky soul. This will be a bummer of a Christmas for Jon!
Nice story, but the main character drove me nuts!
Zehzahl5 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I liked the story; it had a Hallmark holiday movie vibe and a personal and cozy hometown feel to it, even while characters face difficulties.
The characters were enjoyable to watch. But the protagonist? Ugh. Look, I understand people make mistakes -- we all do -- and movie characters have to reflect that reality...even the ones that are in a really bad place in their lives for one reason or another. But the main character was such an incredibly mindless idiot who repeatedly broke the law, made dumb decision after decision, that after a while, I was venting out loud to the TV and stopped feeling sorry for him.
He had few redeeming qualities that would draw you in and get you to like or cheer for him despite his life being out of order. He was self-entitled, a poor decision maker, had stalker tendencies, made a little girl cry, lived at home with his parents and drove his mom's car, dropped out of college, was a thief, couldn't hold down a job, got in the middle of a wife and her husband, and on and on. He was a complete loser that made his own life unnecessarily miserable and harmed the lives of others.
After a while, the circumstances this guy found himself in became utterly ridiculous, especially considering he wasn't a drunkard or drug addict. (I'm surprised they didn't add that into the script, too.) I started to ask myself, "Who makes this many mistakes over the course of a week or so while sober? Talk about a glutton for punishment!
It's disappointing when writers make their characters so foolish that you nearly stop feeling compassion toward them and are glad when they suffer the consequences of their poor choices that never seem to find an end, but only because you want them to change! Sometimes it carries on too long and finally makes you think, "Enough already! Get your life together, dummy!"
In the end, nothing really changed, other than he had a singular moment where he felt a little more "up" than usual. The ending didn't leave me with much hope for this bozo. He was still fired from his job. He was still broke and driving his mom's car. He was still a felon. He didn't get the girl. He had no prospects. And he was filthy dirty after climbing out of a pile of dirt and leaves where he slept the night before. Absolutely no progression for the character. After all this, was I supposed to feel hopeful because he drove off into the grey skies with the window down and the wind in his face? Rather, I imagined he probably went off and robbed a bank or held up a 7-11 a few days later, ha!
After watching this, it was hard for me to feel anything positive about either the protagonist or the movie in general.
The characters were enjoyable to watch. But the protagonist? Ugh. Look, I understand people make mistakes -- we all do -- and movie characters have to reflect that reality...even the ones that are in a really bad place in their lives for one reason or another. But the main character was such an incredibly mindless idiot who repeatedly broke the law, made dumb decision after decision, that after a while, I was venting out loud to the TV and stopped feeling sorry for him.
He had few redeeming qualities that would draw you in and get you to like or cheer for him despite his life being out of order. He was self-entitled, a poor decision maker, had stalker tendencies, made a little girl cry, lived at home with his parents and drove his mom's car, dropped out of college, was a thief, couldn't hold down a job, got in the middle of a wife and her husband, and on and on. He was a complete loser that made his own life unnecessarily miserable and harmed the lives of others.
After a while, the circumstances this guy found himself in became utterly ridiculous, especially considering he wasn't a drunkard or drug addict. (I'm surprised they didn't add that into the script, too.) I started to ask myself, "Who makes this many mistakes over the course of a week or so while sober? Talk about a glutton for punishment!
It's disappointing when writers make their characters so foolish that you nearly stop feeling compassion toward them and are glad when they suffer the consequences of their poor choices that never seem to find an end, but only because you want them to change! Sometimes it carries on too long and finally makes you think, "Enough already! Get your life together, dummy!"
In the end, nothing really changed, other than he had a singular moment where he felt a little more "up" than usual. The ending didn't leave me with much hope for this bozo. He was still fired from his job. He was still broke and driving his mom's car. He was still a felon. He didn't get the girl. He had no prospects. And he was filthy dirty after climbing out of a pile of dirt and leaves where he slept the night before. Absolutely no progression for the character. After all this, was I supposed to feel hopeful because he drove off into the grey skies with the window down and the wind in his face? Rather, I imagined he probably went off and robbed a bank or held up a 7-11 a few days later, ha!
After watching this, it was hard for me to feel anything positive about either the protagonist or the movie in general.
Not your usual Holliday plot
apedroguerreiro18 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
*Some spoilers ahead*
A couple production mistakes like the scene in the bar between Jon and Derek when Jon stands up (in the frame sequence, Derek is drinking, then he's facing Jon, then he's finishing his drink) and in the scene when Jon is reading the letter meant for Derek (the text being heard isn't the same as the written which just takes away some of the "magic". A couple bad performances here and there but overall a pretty nice movie that surely grants you a good hour and a half. As said in the title, this movie doesn't have one of those plots that we're all tired of. Entering my "revisit list"
okay, i gave it a good chance
sandcrab2771 January 2022
Moronic theme from the start ... this guy is a loser and incompetent...the only trade he has is being a thief and not a good one ... if he had any religious or moral values it was totally skipped over on the story ... his attempt to change his life around was truly pathetic ..i should have listened to the reviewers that said to skip this.
Regular...
RosanaBotafogo19 August 2023
On the eve of Christmas, Jon decides to leave his complicated life and return to his hometown, Fall City, where he will try to start things over in the midst of a difficult relationship with his parents and former and bitter friends.
Care Bears, here appears as a symbology, presenting the childish desire and hope and maintenance of faith, what was once just a cute teddy bear, today it takes on other contours, grandiose meanings, CS S2... About the film itself a mix of dissatisfaction anti slowness, a little lack of identification with the characters, or just distraction on my part, in a job the favorable plot, convincing and captivating, some good moments, performances and finally regular...
Care Bears, here appears as a symbology, presenting the childish desire and hope and maintenance of faith, what was once just a cute teddy bear, today it takes on other contours, grandiose meanings, CS S2... About the film itself a mix of dissatisfaction anti slowness, a little lack of identification with the characters, or just distraction on my part, in a job the favorable plot, convincing and captivating, some good moments, performances and finally regular...
How's his Phone Still Working?!
skyknightlegionnaire23 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Oh man what an incredible plot hole generator.
Felony Jon goes home to parents who make him feel like garbage. Gets a "job" at USPS were he meets an acquaintance from high school who makes him feel like garbage. Then he help a girl, who later... makes him feel like garbage - oh, and gives him an angry half haircut.
The guys waiting on his brother (queue the horrible anti AR 670-1 photo) who's betrays OPSEC by telling him where he is, says he'll see him for Christmas and never does. Then this guy starts to write kids back as a sort of kind gesture, pretending to be Santa and giving a response to their letters. These letters are in a bin off to the side in "dead mail". How long were they sitting there? A year? Two? Anyway, Jon takes it upon himself to do this task only to come in one day to find that the only nice guy in the whole movie had to leave for an emergency. Thus promoting the butt head *ahem*, excuse me, the girls dad to assistant post master, whereby he finds out about the Felony/jail time Jon committed. Ultimately he fires Jon, Jon then steals a letter meant for the other guy from the main female character, gets chased by the cops, reads it, and then gives it back. Then he looked into the window Christmas day to the family back together. Like...why?
But to top it all off, the main complaint: this guy is out all day, gets into a car accident, is rained on for hours, sleeps next to a bridge all night (while being rained on), and somehow ... his phone's still working. :[
Felony Jon goes home to parents who make him feel like garbage. Gets a "job" at USPS were he meets an acquaintance from high school who makes him feel like garbage. Then he help a girl, who later... makes him feel like garbage - oh, and gives him an angry half haircut.
The guys waiting on his brother (queue the horrible anti AR 670-1 photo) who's betrays OPSEC by telling him where he is, says he'll see him for Christmas and never does. Then this guy starts to write kids back as a sort of kind gesture, pretending to be Santa and giving a response to their letters. These letters are in a bin off to the side in "dead mail". How long were they sitting there? A year? Two? Anyway, Jon takes it upon himself to do this task only to come in one day to find that the only nice guy in the whole movie had to leave for an emergency. Thus promoting the butt head *ahem*, excuse me, the girls dad to assistant post master, whereby he finds out about the Felony/jail time Jon committed. Ultimately he fires Jon, Jon then steals a letter meant for the other guy from the main female character, gets chased by the cops, reads it, and then gives it back. Then he looked into the window Christmas day to the family back together. Like...why?
But to top it all off, the main complaint: this guy is out all day, gets into a car accident, is rained on for hours, sleeps next to a bridge all night (while being rained on), and somehow ... his phone's still working. :[
Severely under rated Christmas Film!
huggibear2 July 2019
I gave it 8 stars because it needs a boost. It's a touching and heart-warming story about a man down on his luck and needs 'a break'. Well, it might be somewhat far-fetched, but it's a movie and most are all fantasies, especially those around Christmas time. Give it a watch and you might just be pleasantly surprised. I didn't know what to expect, but I thought it was very well done and quite enjoyable. Yes, it's like a b-rated or indie movie, but the acting is pretty good. I think it deserves a much higher rating than it currently has. It's not mediocre for sure.
Can it be lamer? That's going to be difficult.
deloudelouvain5 January 2019
Here we go again! Me not understanding the criteria people handle when it's about reviewing a movie. How can you rate this movie as perfect? As the best movie you ever saw? That must be a joke, or maybe you've been locked up in a basement for your entire life, escaped, and this was the first movie you ever saw. All jokes aside, Fall City is one of those movies where you will struggle to stay awake. The story is so lame and predictable it hurts your eyes. The only lamer thing you could do is watch this stinker on Christmas. Then you will have accomplished the level of lame master. Fall City, bad story and bad acting, or absolutely nothing good to write about. Keep a bucket near hand in case you have to vomit.
Touching And Unpredictable Christmas Film
colosmiths30 November 2018
Fall City is not a typical, predictable Christmas film. It is more nuanced and realistic in presenting characters that are neither all good or all bad, and choices that could be interpreted in different ways. Well acted and beautifully filmed. Great addition to your holiday watch list!
Hallmark Christmas
fmwongmd26 January 2019
It doesn't get much worse
kmckaig-432-5132117 February 2019
Some people rated this a 10. I have never seen an actual 10. I have viewed some outstanding movies the last 30 years...never a 10. A ten is perfect. No room to improve anything. Some people rated this absolute pile of crap a 10.
The movie begins with the total loser lead role breaking into people's cars. If you have ever returned to your car and found someone had broken in and stolen from you, then you will agree these people should be shot. We are expected to watch this movie rooting for this complete and total asshole?
The movie begins with the total loser lead role breaking into people's cars. If you have ever returned to your car and found someone had broken in and stolen from you, then you will agree these people should be shot. We are expected to watch this movie rooting for this complete and total asshole?
I don't know what I saw...
alicethegreat-5982613 January 2019
Okay. Maybe it's the cynic in me, but this movie. By the end I was literally laughing out loud. Jon, this guy... he's got a borderline psychotic disorder. He starts out an entitled moron, then evolves into decent guy, then quickly descends into a manic episode with some mild stalking tendencies. I did like the female lead... and the rest of the cast, actually. This movie has an Indie/Hallmark feel, which isn't terrible but the story with the main character... I was almost yelling at him through the tv sometimes. It was pretty insane. So, two stars for the idea of the movie and the supporting characters.
Now Named A Fall City Christmas
searchersd26 December 2021
Loved the simplicity of this movie!
rishurocksmittal12 September 2019
I just randomly watched this movie without any expectation. And after watching this movie i felt satisfied. I totally adore this movie from starting to ending. Only some people can understand the depth of these kind of simple movies. A person who have seen failure and hit rock bottom can absolutely understand some scenes. Both actors did great job. I loved it!
it'll suck you in and isn't formulaic
andyisaac-085732 February 2019
This is an indie film and it definitely shows in the production but i love movies like this. it's strength is the characters and the way the story organically unfolds. it's not cliched or formulaic. it's feels like real life and you can relate to all the characters in some way. the acting is solid and believable for the most part. the male lead especially has a way of drawing you in and you believe his emotions and his journey. the female lead is also very engaging, believable and charming. the little daughter steals every scene she's in. i love the parents and their interactions with the lead and i even like the way they handled the "antagonist". it's beautifully shot and the music is haunting and perfect. i look forward to seeing more from this director and this team.
Points for originality
commerce-3940726 November 2018
The storyline avoided some of the predictable holiday clichés, which made the film more interesting. The lead role was particularly plausible. Loved the use of location filming, which captured the charm and honesty of the small town of Fall City.
Loved it
paul-9675825 November 2018
Refreshingly multidimensional holiday movie with excellent cinematography, unpredictable storyline, three-dimensional believable characters, portrayed by an excellent cast. The message of the film is important and powerful yet subtle enough that it will be missed by some viewers.
Finding vision in a fog of dispair through service
stevenrmarquis9 December 2018
We just watched a quite a touching movie called Fall City; a Christmas theme movie of a fellow who made a lot of bad choices but finds joy in some service and provides assistance and in so doing gets out of himself and sees a light and the possibility of a better future; a vision he simply did not previously have.
I'd recommend it!
I'd recommend it!
Great movie!!!
dreamyguy794 December 2018
Just watched this movie on a whim and I loved it!!! It wasn't your typical ending, but it was happy. It was different, realistic. There was some great acting. Its a great Christmas movie for adults. It has a nice message about life. Watch it!! I guarantee you wont regret it.
An unexpected Christmas movie
carolinelorenzen27 December 2018
Eschews common Christmas movie tropes and instead offers meaning
tdreitzel31 December 2021
This movie charts the trajectory of a young man trying to find his way. A failure at school and in society, he returns home for Christmas having nowhere else to go. In the days leading up to Christmas, he is faced with a number of situations that can help him discover how to live his life.
Fall City is quite realistic because it's so messy. Jon's life is a mess, but most of the other characters also have issues, too. Yet all of them are seeking something better; they somehow know that they should be better. For example, Jon's father is coarse and unwelcoming when he returns home, but later we see him engaging Jon as a father should. And Jon's post office colleague seems to have things all figured out, but ultimately we learn that he is grappling with family problems.
Even as Jon tries to keep a job and to do beneficent things, he is flummoxed. Life keeps throwing him curveballs that he struggles to handle. And he keeps making poor decisions. This movie doesn't exhibit a straight line of good deeds leading to rewards. Like in many Christmas movies, there's a romantic interest, but that relationship's trajectory is unexpected, too.
Even the precipitation isn't the usual Christmas trope: It rains a lot. That's expected for western Washington state, but unexpected for a Christmas movie.
Through all this mess, there is a valuable lesson about generosity. As Pastor Adam says, "Any gift worth giving comes at the price of a sacrifice." Jon finally learns to give sacrificially and, in the process, gains a whole lot.
Fall City is quite realistic because it's so messy. Jon's life is a mess, but most of the other characters also have issues, too. Yet all of them are seeking something better; they somehow know that they should be better. For example, Jon's father is coarse and unwelcoming when he returns home, but later we see him engaging Jon as a father should. And Jon's post office colleague seems to have things all figured out, but ultimately we learn that he is grappling with family problems.
Even as Jon tries to keep a job and to do beneficent things, he is flummoxed. Life keeps throwing him curveballs that he struggles to handle. And he keeps making poor decisions. This movie doesn't exhibit a straight line of good deeds leading to rewards. Like in many Christmas movies, there's a romantic interest, but that relationship's trajectory is unexpected, too.
Even the precipitation isn't the usual Christmas trope: It rains a lot. That's expected for western Washington state, but unexpected for a Christmas movie.
Through all this mess, there is a valuable lesson about generosity. As Pastor Adam says, "Any gift worth giving comes at the price of a sacrifice." Jon finally learns to give sacrificially and, in the process, gains a whole lot.
Emotional Roller Coaster
utbrandts22 January 2019
Wholesome and redeeming!
buckeyeone17 February 2019
Heart-warming and moving but not formulaic
argiriosk2 January 2024
I came across the movie by chance and it quickly became, not only one of my favorite Christmas movies, but one of my favorites in general.
It is a drama-filled story almost throughout its entirety, with the "Don't Give Up" message always being conveyed.
The setting in the small town of Fall City, Washington makes it all the better. It gives this movie that small town feeling that makes it so nice to watch. Having lived in Washington State for a few years made it all the more special, although I have never been to Fall City specifically. Nonetheless, the small town setting where everyone knows mostly everyone else, really shines through.
It is a drama-filled story almost throughout its entirety, with the "Don't Give Up" message always being conveyed.
The setting in the small town of Fall City, Washington makes it all the better. It gives this movie that small town feeling that makes it so nice to watch. Having lived in Washington State for a few years made it all the more special, although I have never been to Fall City specifically. Nonetheless, the small town setting where everyone knows mostly everyone else, really shines through.
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