Fall to Grace (2005)

50% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(66 ratings)

A high-school-aged Eastern European immigrant finds that life in a new land can have its fair share of difficulties in writer/director Mari Marchbanks's inspiring tale of interconnecting lives. Alexei is a Georgian who moves to the U.S., with his family in tow and the intention of building a new… More A high-school-aged Eastern European immigrant finds that life in a new land can have its fair share of difficulties in writer/director Mari Marchbanks's inspiring tale of interconnecting lives. Alexei is a Georgian who moves to the U.S., with his family in tow and the intention of building a new life. Unfortunately, he is only able to land a job as a day laborer. Kristofer hopes to make it as a basketball star and is just looking to find his footing on the court and in the classroom, a task made ever more difficult due to the family's dire financial situation. He develops an enduring crush on the girl next door, Sarah, and though her life is fraught with complications, it seems that Kristofer may be able to turn her around. As the troubled lives in the story crisscross, the characters' intersections and interactions ironically generate hope and shared compassion for one another. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Mari Marchbanks
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Dec 27, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Mar 20, 2007

Critic Reviews

Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Seems to have grown from careful observation, but this could be a case where one story would have trumped many.
Michael Booth, Denver Post
Feels like a movie you'd find late at night on a film-festival program, sincere and worthy, yet not quite watchable.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
A story with a soap-opera feel, but there is a promising amount of raw talent on display.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
The picture is hopeless: hopelessly earnest, hopelessly well-intentioned, hopelessly bad.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Here are 12 people. Here are their 12 problems. Here are 12 solutions. World peace. The end.
Merle Bertrand, Film Threat
Marchbanks has crafted a genuine portrait of suburban Americana with Fall To Grace, especially with regard to our younger citizenry.
Bill White, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Marchbanks captures the essence of a melting pot neighborhood where economics, not race, is the dividing factor.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
This is an indie film in the genuine spirit of the word (not some studio-subsidized boutique product), showing compassion while following its own course of low-key redemption.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Like a real neighborhood, it pulses with its own unique heartbeat, and it's one that deserves to be heard.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Cast

Kira Pozehl
as Sarah Minske
Gabriel Luna
as Kristopher Rostropovich
Jessica Roque
as Jessie Acosta

Bhagirit Crow
as Alexi Rostropovich
Julia Polozova
as Helena Rostropovich
Dean Stafford
as Roger

See full cast

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