Fallen (1998)

Director:

Gregory Hoblit

Writer (WGA):

Nicholas Kazan (written by)

Release Date:

16 January 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Don't trust a soul.

Plot:

Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style.

Plot Keywords:

Azazel | Execution | Murder | Gas Chamber | Serial Killer

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Denzel Washington	...	John Hobbes
John Goodman	...	Jonesy
Donald Sutherland	...	Lt. Stanton
Embeth Davidtz	...	Gretta Milano
James Gandolfini	...	Lou
Elias Koteas	...	Edgar Reese
Gabriel Casseus	...	Art
Michael J. Pagan	...	Sam
Robert Joy	...	Charles
Frank Medrano	...	Charles' Killer
Ronn Munro	...	Mini Golf Owner
Cynthia Hayden	...	Society Woman
Ray Xifo	...	Society Man
Tony Michael Donnelly	...	Toby
Tara Carnes	...	Teenage Girl

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and language.

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | English | Aramaic

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #35527) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:M | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (w) | Netherlands:16 (video rating) | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Bear Mountain Bridge, New York, USA

Company:

Turner Pictures (I)

Trivia:

All of the scenes involving Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas) were shot near the start of principal photography, and director Gregory Hoblit was so impressed with the physicality of actor Koteas' performance that he insisted everyone who subsequently becomes possessed by Azazel must move in a similar manner. Indeed, actors Robert Joy (who plays Charles Olom), James Gandolfini (Lou), Bob Rumnock (who plays the school teacher) and Tara Carnes (who plays the young girl) all studied Koteas' performance before shooting their own possessed scenes.

Goofs:

Continuity: When (after about 78 minutes) Hobbes enters Stanton's office, Stanton is hanging up the phone. In the next cut, when Hobbes sits down, Stanton is hanging up the phone once again

Quotes:

[first lines]
Azazel: I wanna tell you about the time I almost died....

Movie Connections:

References The First Power (1990)

Soundtrack:

Time Is On My Side

Legitimately Creepy

This gets good marks simply because it is such an interesting, involving story that hooks you right away and every time you watch it and doesn't overwhelm you with violence and gore.

Denzel Washington is appealing as always as the good guy and John Goodman is surprisingly low-key for most of the movie. All the characters are very interesting and the special effects are creepy.

The story is pure "Hollywood theology" mean also means the characters - include the heroes - in here have no clue about God or the purpose of life. Believability-aside, it film provides excellent entertainment. The visuals are decent and sound-effects are chilling in spots. As the demon sees through the eyes of people and passes by with these "whoosh" sounds, it's very effective. As mentioned, the film doesn't need a lot of violence to succeed with it's horror-type tale.

One note about the final scene. It isn't exactly clear on a couple of points so if you get confused, you aren't alone.