I've always had this burning question: do people actually watch movies while flying on a plane, running on a treadmill, or cooking? You know, I'm referring to situations where you're clearly doing something else. I know it's a dumb question. My mom would be the first to smack me for asking—she's the type who used to have the TV on while cooking, and now she scrolls through TikTok on her phone in the kitchen. But I still wonder, are they really watching the content? Or, more to the point, do they even know what they're watching? Do they remember anything afterward? What's the point of this kind of multitasking? I've tried it myself on a plane once—the economy class setup was terrible as no headphones were provided. Whilst staring at the tiny sceen in front of my seat, I can't recall a single scene in the movie, as I don't even remember what I watched.
I never thought I'd find the answer to the above questions with "Find Me Falling", a movie that has absolutely nothing to do with planes, treadmills, or kitchens.
"Find Me Falling" caught my eye simply because it uses a trendy romantic formula this year that I've previously complained about in at least two articles—the single mom and male celebrity pairing. I was ready to tear it apart, but to my surprise, I couldn't. Unlike "The Idea of You" and "A Family Affair", where the mom and the celebrity fall in love at first sight and hit it off while their daughters and fans become their biggest obstacles (and sometimes functioning as the spice to their relationship), "Find Me Falling" is somewhat... different.
It's a story about rekindled love: rock star John escapes the pressures of the music industry to enjoy a moment of relaxation on the picturesque island of Cyprus. Unfortunately, the cliffside house he buys turns out to be a place where people visit to end their lives. When he tries to connect with locals to see what he can do to stop this, he meets an aspiring singer named Melina and her mother, Sia—his old flame. Soon, he discovers that Melina is actually his daughter. Unlike in the past, John decides to stay on this time.
That's essentially the whole story and there's nothing more to delve into. The film is as simple as its Mediterranean setting—clear, soothing, and calm. Sometimes, it even lacks the passion a romantic film should have. Sia (played by Agni Scott) is a strong woman who raises her daughter alone with a chic and casual attitude throughout the film. Scott's performance is almost too calm and distant. While Sia and John (played by Harry Connick Jr.) express their yearning for each other through words, they somehow lack chemistry. However, these old lovers are both very attractive, so there's not much to complain about.
The point is, I was interrupted many times while watching this film—something I'd never have tolerated before. Watching a movie used to be a serious affair for me. I might not have taken a ritual bath before watching it, but if I watch it at double speed or didn't finish it in one sitting, it'd be a desecration of the film and I'd consider myself to have committed an unforgivable sin. I've become less extreme over time, but my bottom line is to remain focused throughout. Yet, "Find Me Falling" just couldn't hold my attention. Honestly, there are no major issues with it—though I wished there were, so I could at least have fun criticizing it—but it's simply mediocre and boring. It was such a snoozefest that I actually had time to visit the bathroom three times, drink two bottles of yogurt, eat a peach, and daydream for about 20 minutes. As I zoned out, my eyes were on the beautiful scenery displayed on the screen, but I felt sad inside—I'm almost 30, and I haven't even been to Europe, let alone the Mediterranean.
After finishing the movie, I messaged my best friend, a globetrotter who travels at least three times a year and always comes up with a detailed plan before setting off. I asked her when she'd be traveling next. She replied quickly, "In two months." I immediately continued, "Please make sure to take me with you then." After a brief moment of consideration, I added, "It'd be good if we could go somewhere near the sea." And she responded with a meme of someone falling off a chair in shock. Yes, I must confess that I'm quite a homebody and I'd refused her invitations many times before this.
Returning to the questions I raised at the beginning, I now realize that they stem from intellectual arrogance. As someone who studied film and has watched over 2,000 movies, I've held movies in too high regard. Ultimately, they're just entertainment, a way to view and understand the world. Of course, they can also be a way of life if you want. But that's all there is to it. We don't need to remember every detail after watching a film, be able to accurately name its creators, or convince others why it's a classic or a flop. We can watch a movie without really knowing what we saw; we can daydream while watching; we can also be inspired to do something after watching a movie just as I did—even if that desire might fade in a few days.
Now I'd say, "Find Me Falling" is a movie suitable for watching on a treadmill, plane, or in the kitchen. This doesn't mean I dislike or belittle it. In fact, I plan to share it with my mom.
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