Falling Angels (2003)

In the heart of a quaint Canadian suburb, 1969, resides the Fields family. A seemingly picture-perfect household led by ex-military man Jim Field, who strives to present the illusion of an ideal family to the outside world. Yet, behind the curtain of domestic bliss, there is a discordant symphony of deception and discontent. Jim, despite his facade of an exemplary father, is unfaithful to his wife and uses bluster to mask his shortcomings. A striking illustration of his eccentric behavior is when he abruptly swaps a family vacation to Disneyland for a two-week nuclear attack drill, sequestering the family in their backyard bomb shelter. The matriarch, Mary, is a former dancer trapped in the clutches of chronic depression, further aggravated by her tumultuous relationship with Jim and the family's dysfunctional dynamics. She spends most of her days in a semi-comatose state, drowned in the flickering glow of the television, as her daughters aid her in self-medicating with alcohol. Each of the three high school-aged daughters grapples with their family's turmoil in unique ways. Norma, the self-conscious one, yearns for a genuine bond with her parents and attempts to keep the family together, all while quietly safeguarding buried family secrets. Lou, the rebel, openly exhibits her resentment towards her father, viewing him as a despot. Sandy, lost in her own realm, aspires to embody the quintessential 1950s housewife, a stark contrast to her contemporary reality. Their lives take a turn when each daughter's world is infiltrated by a new character. Norma befriends Stella, the lively new girl who could have had any friend but chose her. Lou, despite her outward disdain, is drawn towards Tom, a new classmate and an ex-American hippie critical of America. Meanwhile, Sandy encounters Reg Shelman, a married shoe store owner who openly expresses his carnal interest in her. Set against the vibrant tapestry of the 60s, the dawn of feminism, the Cold War, free love, and LSD, this darkly comedic tale, often likened to "Little Women on acid," follows the three sisters' journey through adolescence in their wildly dysfunctional family. The devastating impact of secrecy and the unyielding bonds of parental duty are brought to the fore when the family is forced to confront their dysfunction head-on following a tragic event on New Year's Day 1970. Falling Angels is a poignant exploration of a family's struggle to navigate the turbulent waters of secrets, love, and duty.

Falling Angels is a comedy movie featuring Miranda Richardson and directed by Scott Smith.

Falling Angels is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Popcornflix and it's also available on Film Movement Plus.