Review of The Texture of Falling (2018) by Chrissy H — 31 May 2018

This film reaches far and ends up being a very entertaining and artistic viewing experience. I wasn't expecting much more than an indie romantic drama that takes place in the city I live, Portland, OR. I was so happy that the Portlandia-esque caricatures of liberals and potheads that I see depicted in other media were completely ignored and the real, and sometimes ugly personalities of this city were put in the spotlight. I don't actually think that I particularly liked any of the characters in this film, and that's refreshing! We're not given saccharine-sweet star-crossed lovers to tell us how we should feel watching their lives unfold. Figuring out the personalities of the characters is left entirely to the viewer. The female characters are particularly dominant in this film, and Maria Allred seems to be winking at the viewer each time the power dynamics shift in the relationships.

The city itself feels like another character living side by side with the struggling couples, and ended up being my favorite aspect of the entire film. I don't think that I've ever seen a more accurate depiction of Portland in film. This movie is absolutely gorgeous to watch. I loved the lighting in each scene, and it felt very deliberate in creating the tone of the film. If you're a cinematography geek, you will not be disappointed. Portland is pretty :-).

This film is not for the sleepers. In the vein of Momento, Eyes Wide Shut, or Black Swan- this movie requires concentration. Welcome to the Portland Art Scene.