Movie Review - Altitude Falling

With the latest release from writer/director/actor Paul Bright, I found he moved in yet another direction, this time tackling a futuristic view of the world, one in the not-so-distant future that is both apolitical and scary, making a distinct political statement. The year is 2029, and we first see Greg, played by Bright, visiting the local store, followed in by a handsome young man. I wasn't sure if we were watching a hook-up or a 'professional' encounter. Turns out, it was neither. The young man was a 'No Paper' - a non-person, having removed his government-injected computer chip, Big Brother for the technological age.





We see the budding relationship between Greg and Danny, a 20-year-old out-of-work idealist played by William Diamond, recently relocated from California to a Colorado town, with little industry outside of the railroad and tourism. The American economy is struggling, with many unemployed. It is a fluke their paths crossed, and their feelings develop slowly as they get to know one another. Even though both Greg and Danny's family moved to the bucolic setting to escape the rigors of the city, we see how technology is running the world, even in their small town. Those responsible for that technology includes Greg, a programmer who developed it to track pets, seem to not entirely notice how it is used to track and control Americans.





Government and Big Business have come together to track your whereabouts, consumer patterns, and habits. As it builds in size and information, the responsibility to serve and protect citizens seems to shift into control and protecting the people from the full truth. As the economy tanked, so did the ecology. A tsunami-like wave destroyed Danny's family home, 5 miles inland. That is just one of the aspects of the altitude that is falling - as well as the economy, the will and drive of the people, and the right to privacy relinquished by the chip.





At it's heart, Altitude Falling is a story of romance between Greg and Danny. But it is the love that wakes both up from the stupor they, as well was Danny's mother [intensely played by Brenda Kuciemba], grandmother [played with nuance and a deft touch by Cynthia Schiebel], and his displaced father. Making a human connection helps put into perspective the artificial, be it the trappings of the internet or the judgments placed on people who don't conform to the 'accepted' norm. The strong script coupled with the strong performances of the leads make this film move from pleasant entertainment to a higher level, a story that pushes you into examining your own life, as well as our collective future. I highly recommend Altitude Falling.



You can check out other films by Silly Bunny Productions here. You can also find them on FaceBook here, so stop by and add them as a friend. Theft is distributed by Water Bearer Films, which has this and many other great movies. Check them out here. You can also check out a recent post about the latest project for Silly Bunny Pictures here.