“The only thing more exhausting than having a mental illness is pretending like you don’t.” (Tess Linton) In the year of 1969, a time when mental illness wasn’t acknowledged nor taken as a serious matter, more so than the present day. Two young women in an all-girls school, Lydia and Abbie, are the best of friends. One day, when Abigail “Abbie” Mortimer’s mental illness goes untreated, dies whilst still being pregnant after a night with a young man who “had a nice car”. Abbie’s death greatly effects those who loved/adored her, and those who were burdened by her, including her dearest friend, Lydia Lamont, in Carol Morley’s Mystery-Drama, “The Falling” (2014). 😃🏫 Having seen nearly all the films of David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Ingmar Bergman, and very few of Andrei Tarkovsky’s work, it’s safe to say that Carol Morley’s #TheFalling was quite a bizarre viewing experience. 😐 As bizarre and hyper-silly as the tale told can be at times, it was strangely sentimental and intimate, it truly was. There’s a lot of heart and soul to be found in this mysterious, ever so wondrous film here. Maisie Williams, as Lydia Lamont, captures the symptoms of a person who suffers from mental illness beautifully. Some would accuse her of “faking it”, but in all honesty, how the hell would they know?! 🤨 The simple fact that mental illness is ignored and not taken as a serious matter is beyond sickening.... Maxine Peake, Monica Dolan, Greta Scacchi, Lauren McCrostie, and Joe Cole are excellent in their respective roles as Eileen Lamb, Miss Alvaro, Miss Mantel, Gwen, and Kenneth Lamont. That of course, brings me to my favorite character of the film, and the love of Lydia’s life, Abigail “Abbie” Mortimer, portrayed sensationally well by Florence Pugh! 😍❤️ As much praise as the story, performances, direction, soundtrack, and cinematography may receive, Ms.Pugh stands as the central highlight for yours truly, and yes, I do indeed have a crush on her! 😁💘 #TheFalling #MentalIllness #LossOfAFriend #LackOfAttention #AllGirlSchool #BestFriendsAreForever #SpecialBonds https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo1cN-aBc-e/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1r9gzkhfmo0y7