The Fallen Idol

Having just read and adored Our Man in Havana (which for some reason I picked up three or four times before fulling committing --- a bit weak given its short length,) I was thrilled to hear a movie, made by none other than Carol Reed, existed. I was then crestfallen to learn that it is only available on VHS (in the US at least) ! Here's hoping the Criterion Collection fills the gap.

Reed and Greene's best known collaboration is the Third Man, one of the greatest movies of all time, but they also worked together on Our Man in Havana and the Fallen Idol. While I can't say I enjoyed the Fallen Idol as much as the Third Man, fans of that film will want to seek out the Fallen Idol.

The movie centers on the relationship between a lonely Ambassador's son and the British butler who runs his household. The boy idolizes (but also patronizes) the butler, calling him Baines (his far more formal wife is always Mrs. Baines). When the boy witnesses something he doesn't understand, he commits error after error that puts his friend in great peril.

The movie is both visually and thematically similar to the Third Man. Reed focuses in on faces and the faces communicate as much if not more than the words. He revels in shadow and large empty spaces, as in late night streets and unoccupied embassies. The themes of betrayal (sometimes two way) and the breaking of innocence are essential in both films, although this one is a bit gentler than the Third Man. If anything this will movie will prove that Reed was much more than a one trick pony