Review of A Fall from Grace (2020) by Covidking — 24 Mar 2020

Tyler Perry will make you cringe. Not in the cool cut your arm off to the save your life “Saw” way, but in a TV movie, far from nuanced way. In his new Netflix movie “A fall from Grace”, Perry, writer, director and actor in the film, will test your ability to withstand even the “cringiest” elements of storytelling but give you enough crumbs to gnaw at to see you through to the end. It is a battle of endurance in the most contradictory way. The movie, 2 hours, can feel long yet rushed at the same time. Prepare yourself for feelings of inertia as you get through the movie, it’s not difficult to follow but its pacing makes the whole story unbelievable. The film is similar to porn in this way, you go from some awkward dialogue and some fantastical scenario into just straight up **** But unlike porn there is no **** to keep you interested.

The only part that can keep your attention is Mechad Brooks, a Jon Jones look alike who plays Shannon in the film. Shannon is by far the most interesting character, a photographer who meets Grace at one of exhibitions and they fall in love. He is disgustingly good looking and that will force you to resent him but my god his charming. Technically Brooks is the most capable, an actor who can rise above the **** that Perry has written and directed him to be. He clearly turns heel and there is no surprise there, the whole relationship with him and Grace is unsettling, mainly due to the age difference, which is a credit to Brooks but I guess Perry a little as well.

Brooks is never supported though, Grace played by Crystal Fox is not up to task, Bresha Webb how plays Jasmine is incredibly unlikeable (not entirely her fault) and Matthew Law who plays Jasmines husband is one of the most stale actors I have ever seen. The only person who can even keep up with Brooks is Phylicia Rashad who plays Grace’s best friend. Though she is far from as heroic or villainess as she should be, she plays the part and doesn’t irritate, which is a plus in this film. The gripping finale is about as foreshadowed as a thriller can be. There are twists but in the most childlike sense and the biggest fear I was left with was the fact that Perry has tried to set up a sequel.

Your mum or grandmother may like this film. They may be able to ignore the **** that makes this film bad. If you unconsciously consume the film you may even enjoy it but once you look past the façade there will be a fall from Grace.