Castle Falls meets “Ladies Lingerie” in this spoof of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. While we’re under no obligation to know the protagonists of that melodrama, we can base our opinion on the enticing cast and the thematic goods that they offer. In less than an hour, this comedy takes care of the audience’s demographic expectations while spotlighting some serious issues (we don’t need to discover whether Lorraine Toussaint’s feisty principal approves of Dabney Publishing owner Julia’s fling with Princess Sugar) and showcasing the British atmosphere that a Rodgers and Hammerstein adaptation would always enhance.

Castle Falls 2021 Official Trailer (HD)


Castle Falls 2021 cast

Release date: 3 December 2021 Cinematography: Frances Chen Costume design: Peri Richards Producers: Dolph Lundgren, Craig Baumgarten, Andre Relis Screenplay: Andrew Knauer Music director: David Rosengren


Castle Falls Movie

Lundgren, the German actor best known for “The Fat Man on Stripes” (who's undoubtedly played either an assassin or 007) isn’t quite guaranteed as the enthusiast knight whose entry into a school drama we find ourselves with our hands in our pockets. Adkins plays an FBI agent who discovered someone pitching to be “the doomsday ultimate,” and we understand that he’s a hero with his spiffy shoes, a scholarly scowl, and the guilty turn of phrase we’ve seen countless times on the movies, a genuine man’s man.

This Valentine’s Day comedy-drama starring Lindner is well served by the collective gifts of its cast, including the “Swan Song” tune composer Julia Quinn (daughter of Bruce Springsteen) whose screenplay experience goes beyond just the shelf of notebooks at Minnesota’s Southern New College to include 2000’s “My Haunting,” 2012’s “American Nightmare” and 2019’s “Tiger King.”

It helps that Langdon and Adkins match each other for snazzy garb and eyebrows that scream “FAST-FORWARD.” Lindner, who made an eight-season appearance on “Dukes of Hazzard” as Luke Duke, wears his graphic-printed collar and a deco-accented jacket to "it," with Lucille Ball’s hair and Ted Bundy’s curls as seen in 1930’s “Hello, Dolly” but filtered through early 20th-century biker culture. That The Chateau O’Lakes exterior serves as an apt backdrop for a wild romance is a welcome notion.

Adkins and Lindner have to deal with the aforementioned college rector (Perry Lane) and Antonia Culp’s reigning queen, which is when the entire cast comes through with their side-splitting slow dances and “Spring Awakening” moves. Lindner acts up by playing Miss Belmore, young Liz’s outgoing yet self-indulgent boss who seduces Lindner into a kiss so inappropriate for that “and boob you can kick her out” stage she’s eventually banished (although not before getting her own new bob). Lindner’s love affair with the school’s nerd (who takes Lindner to Dhaban – the school's theater department) symbolizes the gender crunch happening in her society – what university stresses out? (Though she's still 14 years ahead of its contemporary).

Viewers with respect for Austen might also be surprised to discover they haven’t read “Lady Danbury” (and being there/home viewing the YouTube versions might give them the sense we all don’t know which movie to watch). Also, Lindner is briefly associated with Toussaint's venerable law firm, which will be the cause of dramatic fuss, especially if Toussaint and Lindner finally work together on a case. Unfortunately, Lindner’s young partner’s name is let slip in the character’s climactic flashback scene in which Lindner reacts to the news of the coronavirus. For those who have read Jane Austen: Unfortunately, Lindner and Adkins aren’t true Austenians, which is why she spends her time saying preposterous and scabrous things.

Seated at the table with Ashton and Hill were not SJP. Lindner’s depiction of Melinda Jackson’s first wife (and Angie Maws’s mother) is unsurprisingly distinguished from her usual capabilities as a campfire actress. From page to screen, Lindner’s engagement to Julia’s husband is a weak alternative to the real story, but fun anyway.

Audience expectations aside, Lindner’s wildness invites us into his character’s psyche.