Script raises 'Fallen' from failure

REVIEW
	Fallen At Briarwood and Showcase

About 30 minutes into "Fallen," Detectives Hobbes (Denzel Washington) and Jonesy (the ever-svelte John Goodman) begin contemplating the meaning of life. Hobbes is bothered by his sudden awareness that his opponent is no mortal being and he asks Jonesy, "What is the meaning of this?"

It was at this point when I began asking myself the same question, but in regards to the movie, not to life. The movie was going nowhere at light speed. Then, all of the sudden, as if by divine intervention, the movie became good, and I mean really good.

The topic of "Fallen" is not new; it is quite prevalent in the Bible, but Sunday school was never quite like this. (Heck, if it were, I would have gone more often.) The film begins with the devil and his conspiring angels being thrown out of heaven and unleashed upon the Earth. Hobbes's nemesis is not the devil, but one of his minions.

This story succeeds where others of its ilk, most notably "The Prophecy," have failed. A good idea was not enough to save that Christopher Walken flop. It lacked a solid script, which is what allows "Fallen" to take off.

Denzel Washington and John Goodman try to beat the devil in "Fallen," directed by Gregory Hoblit ("Primal Fear").

The movie begins with Hobbes attending the execution of the notorious serial killer Reese (a wonderfully creepy Elias Koteas), the arrest of whom electrified Hobbes' career. Reese is a carrier of the aforementioned demon.

As the villian dies, singing the Rolling Stones classic "Time Is on My Side" - the perfect song for the movie - the demon is passed on to a prison guard. And from there, it is passed on to whoever it wants by the means of a touch. One touch by the possessed leaves you at the mercy of the demon.

But there is no need to worry; the movie is not as religion-intensive as it may seem. The only real religious theme in the movie is that religion (specifically, but not solely Judeo-Christian religions) has two sides, a good and an evil. To believe in heaven, one must also believe in hell. "Fallen" concentrates mostly on the latter.

As the hero, Washington rules the screen as perhaps this country's most under-appreciated acting talent. Plus, as one female remarked after the showing, "He's so fine." He is excellent in the rather Hitchcockesque role of an ordinary man placed in an extraordinary situation.

Washington is the perfect actor to portray the symbol of good that Hobbes represents. The demon, while in Reese, tries to inhabit Hobbes, but there is too much good in him.

So, the demon must find other ways to get back at Hobbes for destroying its favorite host.

Lieutenant Stanton (Donald Sutherland) is no longer slumming it in schlocky B-horror movies, and he is surprisingly good as Hobbes' boss. The viewer is not quite sure what to think of his character; he is as mysterious as his Mr. X in "JFK." His harsh facade and demeanor are the perfect counterpart to Denzel's Hobbes.

Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz), because of a lack of screen time, is almost forgettable in "Fallen." But, as in "Schindler's List," in which she played Ralph Fiennes maid, it is obvious that she has the capability to steal a scene.

"Fallen" is purely fantastic. If you can get past the first 30 minutes - and believe me, it is not that easy- the rest of the thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat until the finish.

01-23-98