Tumbledown (2015) – A Movie Review

See if you can discover the rest of the plot.

Tumbledown is a 2015 film. A New York writer attempts to contact a grieving woman and questions her about her late husband’s ambiguous death. As Hannah reluctantly opens up to Andrew, the pair slowly grow romantic feelings for one another.

We can always use a relatable film about writing. Tumbledown interweaves themes about grief and second chances. The film is great for what it is, but its central focus should have been on its main characters and its themes of building new stories.

I have come to love Rebecca Hall. She is an incredible actress with versatile talents. Her character, Hannah, reminded me of Beth in The Night House, but Hall has a knack for playing roles differently. Hannah could have been your average grieving character, but Hall breathes more depth into the role, especially in her countenance. She uses humor as a defense shield.

Jason Sudeikis plays Andrew, the reporter pursuing Hannah for her story. I like how Sudeikis plays the role, adding comical touches and his character’s empathy. He was also chosen for the role for his emotional depth.

Hall and Sudeikis are the sarcasm duo who work on putting a story on the pages. Andrew and Hannah have a fascinating dynamic, slowly understanding that they both have hidden layers.

Tumbledown was already a strong story with its acting duo, but the film had to add more characters. The supporting characters are not as strong. That doesn’t go for Blythe Danner, who plays Hannah’s nagging mother. Credits include Richard Masur, Joe Manganiello, Dianna Agron, Griffin Dunne, and Maggie Castle.

Other characters pad the runtime. Save for Hannah’s adorable dogs, however. Dogs always make the best companions. Hannah’s dogs follow her around or threaten anybody who looks suspicious. I enjoyed when Hannah read to them

In Sean Mewshaw’s directorial debut, the film’s tone reflects a quiet sadness. He also inserts moments of comedy. Tumbledown is not your typical grief film, though it has relatable lessons. Grief has several stages. As the town’s bookshop owner said, it’s okay to ask for help.

The film was a collaborative project between Mewshaw and his wife, Desiree Van Til, who wrote the film. Tumbledown spent a decade before being developed. The story of Tumebledown all started when Van Til experienced homesickness for her home state, Maine. She wrote the story as a celebration of her hometown and as a grief method film.

Tumbledown is also a writing film, my favorite subject. This film is an example of journalism, a job that has steadily grown for me in the last year. Andrew and Hannah have different approaches to writing. While Hannah sees no point in telling the story, Andrew describes a book as someone’s legacy.

The cinematography is beautiful, capturing nature’s beauty. The cliffside viewing of the sunset was an incredible shot. I love sunsets so much that I pull over when driving to take a picture.

Although the film takes place in Maine, unfortunately, filmmakers could not film there because it was too expensive. Instead, different locations in Massachusetts filled in for it. Filmmakers accommodated nice interior settings, like Hannah’s home and the town bookstore.

Second chances are a gift. As I was saying, Tumbledown should have focused more on its central characters and their revelation about second chances.

The film was received in a positive light by audiences when it premiered at film festivals. Take a look at Tumbledown. It makes a nice romance movie, a film for writers, and a grief-healing story.