If you read ALL of the few comments posted here, you'll get the entire plot for "All Fall Down" - a title that simply states what happens to every member of a dysfunctional family, except Brandon de Wilde "(Clinton Willart").
Several of the users comment that the character "Berry-Berry" (Warren Beatty) is compared to James Dean's acting-style. I don't see that comparison, at all. James emoted clearly; Beatty whispers and lets his good-looks do the acting. His sister, Shirley McClaine, always said he was prettier than she was.....
"Berry-Berry" is a punk-hunk that makes his living on his looks and sexual prowess, and really gets-off by beating-on his female victims. "Clinton" (Brandon de Wilde) finds his brother in jail from slapping a hooker around, but accepts the fact as be wants to become "Berry-Berry" - without all the kookiness. "Clinton" is the only sane member of this family, fully aware that the others are certified kooks......he keeps a diary of their craziness. None of the other users commented that "Berry-Berry's" parents - mother "Annabel" (Angela Lansbury) and father "Ralph" (Karl Maldon) - noted they were constantly sending money to bail "Berry" out of jail, with no hesitation nor questions asked. For some reason never explained, they are passionately hooked on his ne'er-do-well personality, totally fixated on getting him home again. "Clinton" feels the same way, but only because he idolizes his older brother.
I agree all of the roles are fully developed and acted brilliantly, especially by Brandon de Wilde. I do NOT agree the film misses the point in places.......the story is clear as daylight to me. Eva Marie Saint ("Echo") is the perfect, older lady who falls hard for "Berry", who straightens-up for a short while because of her love for him.
Still, "Berry's" devils keep him from living a normal life - back he goes to some strange fruit-farm (plants, not people) where he is working and banging-on everyone. A stormy scene between the brothers (after "Echo's" assumed suicide) reveals the kook "Berry" is, and "Clinton" sees the real brother for what he is, and rejects him.
Director John Frankenheimer and script-writer William Inge deliver a brilliant movie - I can't explain why other users are compelled to say "stagey" and "dated". The movie, now, becomes a period-piece and everything looks right to me. The cinematography is great - one user says the actual, original film has been "kept" in good condition. That may be because it's been shown so few times. Thank you TCM for presenting this dark gem - would THAT be "noir" ? Whatever, I recommend this searing movie for all adult-audiences - it will certainly be a "keeper" for me. Bravo! to all - especially Brandon de Wilde.
Several of the users comment that the character "Berry-Berry" (Warren Beatty) is compared to James Dean's acting-style. I don't see that comparison, at all. James emoted clearly; Beatty whispers and lets his good-looks do the acting. His sister, Shirley McClaine, always said he was prettier than she was.....
"Berry-Berry" is a punk-hunk that makes his living on his looks and sexual prowess, and really gets-off by beating-on his female victims. "Clinton" (Brandon de Wilde) finds his brother in jail from slapping a hooker around, but accepts the fact as be wants to become "Berry-Berry" - without all the kookiness. "Clinton" is the only sane member of this family, fully aware that the others are certified kooks......he keeps a diary of their craziness. None of the other users commented that "Berry-Berry's" parents - mother "Annabel" (Angela Lansbury) and father "Ralph" (Karl Maldon) - noted they were constantly sending money to bail "Berry" out of jail, with no hesitation nor questions asked. For some reason never explained, they are passionately hooked on his ne'er-do-well personality, totally fixated on getting him home again. "Clinton" feels the same way, but only because he idolizes his older brother.
I agree all of the roles are fully developed and acted brilliantly, especially by Brandon de Wilde. I do NOT agree the film misses the point in places.......the story is clear as daylight to me. Eva Marie Saint ("Echo") is the perfect, older lady who falls hard for "Berry", who straightens-up for a short while because of her love for him.
Still, "Berry's" devils keep him from living a normal life - back he goes to some strange fruit-farm (plants, not people) where he is working and banging-on everyone. A stormy scene between the brothers (after "Echo's" assumed suicide) reveals the kook "Berry" is, and "Clinton" sees the real brother for what he is, and rejects him.
Director John Frankenheimer and script-writer William Inge deliver a brilliant movie - I can't explain why other users are compelled to say "stagey" and "dated". The movie, now, becomes a period-piece and everything looks right to me. The cinematography is great - one user says the actual, original film has been "kept" in good condition. That may be because it's been shown so few times. Thank you TCM for presenting this dark gem - would THAT be "noir" ? Whatever, I recommend this searing movie for all adult-audiences - it will certainly be a "keeper" for me. Bravo! to all - especially Brandon de Wilde.