Local indie opens at Dobie but, sadly, leaves much to be desired

We know how you love to support local artists. It's our primary raison d’être and the reason you keep coming back to Austinist. With that in mind, we wanted to let you now about a small film opening this weekend at the Dobie. Fall to Grace is an independent film that was shot entirely in Austin and features music from local musicians (Travis Weller & Jonathan Meiburg). University of Texas graduate Mari Marchbanks attempts to weave a story of redemption with her screenplay that features an array of characters battling life's obstacles to gain a sense of their own identities - immigrants trying desperately to assimilate, girls gone bad fighting for a fresh start and fractured families hoping to save themselves. The story, much of which is seemingly unbelievable due to the lack of depth of characters you have seen portrayed better in other films, ambles through much of the film and lacks the emotional gravitas for which Marchbanks aims. It ends up feeling like Lifetime commissioned Stepehen Gaghan to write a script in about 90 minutes.

Nonetheless, the movie's failings (of which there are more than a few) aside, it is good to see local talent getting a shot at national recognition. We just wish the film had given us more reason, outside of shots of the town and sounds from area bands, to get excited. With that said, there is a line in the film regarding clowns that is probably worth the price of admission, although we believe our belly-laughs were not the intended response of said line.

Fall to Grace opens today at the Dobie.

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