FIND ME FALLING

US, 2024, 93 minutes, Colour.

Harry Connick Jr, Agni Scott, Ali Fumilo Whitney, Tony Demetriou, Leah Maleni, Clarence Smith.

Directed by Stelana Kliris.

The title comes from a song which the central character composes during the film and which recurs throughout, especially with the final credits. It is a sad ballad, setting a tone of both happiness and sadness for this variation on a romantic comedy.

And, the setting is Cyprus. Audiences who would like to see something of the landscapes and seascapes of Cyprus, life in a small town, will enjoy the film.

And the star is Harry Connick Jr, acting this role in his mid-60s after a strong career as a singer and presence in several films. He plays what might be considered a variation on his own self. He plays John, a famous singer musician in the United States, well-known for a song, The Girl on the Beach – which everybody seems to know and quote. However, he has retired to Cyprus which he had visited in the past.

He is able to buy a house on the cliff top then discovering that this is where people come to commit suicide. He tries to build a fence. He tries to persuade people not to fall. And becomes involved with the local police officer who introduces into life on the island. He gets his groceries from a severe woman who sends her niece to deliver them – the niece being the singer in the local club. And her mother is the local doctor.

We might begin to guess as to how this film will develop, John and his relationship to people in the past, who the girl on the beach actually was, his attitudes towards the young singer.

Quite a lot of singing, much of it in Greek, repetitions of The Girl on the Beach, and the composition of Find Me Falling.

An easy-going romantic comedy, especially for older audiences identifying with the older characters, but also giving audiences something to think about.

1. The title, its tone, the composition of the song, John and his memories of Sia, giving the song to Melina, her singing it, the melody, the ballad, the lyrics? The final credits?
2. The Cyprus settings, the island and the sea, the cliffs and the beaches, the town of the streets, homes, the bar, John’s cottage on the cliff?
3. The musical score, John and his career, his songs, The Girl on the Beach and its repetition, Find Me Falling?
4. The opening, the house, John and his retirement, the man on the cliff, John talking with him, the man falling to his death? Manoli and the police? The popularity of the cliff for people to kill themselves by falling? The issue of the fence, the police interventions, John buying the wire and wood, making the fence, increasing it, his finally taking it down, sign for people to talk about their issues?
5. John, his story, musician, the fact of Harry Connick playing the character, Harry Connick in his mid-60s making the film? The past in Cyprus, the girl on the beach and his memories, his return? Trying to be anonymous, everybody recognising him, the responses?
6. The gradual elaboration of the past, his presence on Cyprus, the encounter with Sia, possibilities for a career, his leaving, success in America, life in New York, his fans?
7. Sia, audiences realising she was the girl on the beach, her life, studying to be a doctor, her status on the island?
8. Melina, young, brash, singing at the club, the popularity, the music, Greek, ballads? Her work in the shop, with her aunt, delivering the meals and groceries to John? Cooking? John, going to the shops, meeting the aunt, advice about the groceries? The setup at his house, quiet retirement? The advice to go to the beach for the tanning, the family coming, his sunburn?
9. The encounter with Sia, the memories, her response, spending the night? Her sister’s reaction? Accepting the invitation to dinner, Melina doing the cooking, her dress, her arrival, her being upset, the revelation of the mother-daughter relationship?
10. John, with Siar, the truth about her pregnancy, her going to America, seeing him with all the girls, his way of life, her not wanting that for her daughter, not telling him, her studies, becoming a doctor?
11. John, the drinking, at the bar, Melina singing, the crowd’s reaction, John’s outburst, the revelation of the truth? The consequences for the two women?
12. Melina, her bond with her grandmother, the discussions with her, the situation, memories of the past and looking after Melina while her mother studied? The issue of the coffee cup and reading the situation – and the touch of mockery?
13. John, his composing, his contacts with Jimmy, his agent, the possibility of a comeback, the success of Find Me Falling, the bookings, Madison Square Garden?
14. John, facing the future, his choices, success, family? Giving Melina the song, her going to America, the recording?
15. John, staying on the island, with Sia, happiness and a future?