Harry Connick Jr., the celebrated Grammy-winning jazz artist and actor, steps into the shoes of John Allman, a rock star confronting a midlife crisis in the new romantic comedy, Find Me Falling. Now streaming on Netflix, this film offers audiences a compelling portrayal of a musician grappling with his past fame and uncertain future. Connick Jr.’s performance as the brooding yet charismatic Allman evokes shades of Jackson Maine, but with a lighter, less tragic undertone, making john allman a character ripe for audience connection and introspection.
Find Me Falling introduces john allman as a world-renowned musician, famed for his upbeat anthem “Girl on the Beach,” a song that once defined his career. However, years later, Allman finds himself wrestling with the weariness of nostalgia acts and the fleeting nature of stardom. His list of ex-lovers, including names like Cameron Diaz and Tyra Banks, and a string of supermodels, only amplify the perception of a life lived in the spotlight, yet potentially lacking deeper personal fulfillment. In a bid to escape the pressures of his fading fame, john allman impulsively retreats to Cyprus, purchasing a secluded cliffside residence, unaware of its local reputation as a “suicide hotspot.” This unexpected plot element injects a touch of dark humor and 90s indie film sensibility into the romantic narrative.
Harry Connick Jr. embodying John Allman in Find Me Falling
In Cyprus, john allman encounters Sia, played by the captivating Agni Scott, a former flame from his less complicated youth. Sia, now a doctor, carries her own secrets, adding layers to their rekindled connection. Without giving away crucial plot points, the film promises a journey of rediscovery and resolution, underscored by the smooth vocals of Connick Jr., who delights viewers by singing in both English and Greek. This multilingual musicality adds a unique charm to john allman‘s character and the film’s Mediterranean setting.
Directed and written by Stelana Kliris, Find Me Falling, initially titled The Islander, was brought to life in Cyprus, utilizing local talent both in front of and behind the camera. Kliris, in a recent interview, shared her experiences in creating the island’s first significant romantic film and her process of bringing Harry Connick Jr. aboard to portray john allman.
“It is completely surreal for me,” Kliris expressed, reflecting on the film’s Netflix debut. “I’m South African, so a little-girl-from-South-Africa-now-living-in-Cyprus-who-now-has-a movie-on-Netflix is beyond my wildest imagination.”
Kliris also touched upon the significance of female directors in the rom-com genre, noting a prevalent imbalance. “It is nice that [I’m] a female director. It should always be the best person for the job. But most of, if not all, the major rom-coms that have come out this year have been directed by men. And sometimes it really shows. You would think that at least in this genre, they would trust female filmmakers to take the helm.” Her perspective brings a refreshing angle to the romantic comedy landscape, hinting at a nuanced portrayal of relationships within Find Me Falling, shaped by a female gaze.
Stelana Kliris, the director of Find Me Falling
The inspiration for Find Me Falling and the character of john allman emerged from an article Kliris read about a location in Sydney, Australia, known as “The Gap,” a place similar to the “suicide hotspot” in the film. “This story came from an article that I read about a place in Sydney — I think it was called The Gap, a similar suicide hotspot, where this very kind man lived and saved many lives by inviting people in for tea. And I just thought to myself, What if some really curmudgeonly, grumpy old man or a misanthrope lived in the spot? What did that look like? And slowly the character of john allman, this rock star in crisis, came up.” This initial spark evolved into the narrative of a rock star seeking solace and rediscovering life’s meaning in an unexpected locale. Cyprus became the chosen setting to infuse the story with a unique local atmosphere, and Harry Connick Jr. was seen as the ideal leading man to embody john allman‘s complexities.
Securing Connick Jr. for the role of john allman was pivotal for the project’s realization. Kliris recounted the casting process: “We reached out to him. He loved the script. I wrote him a really personal letter just to kind of appease any worries about coming to a place that probably he and his team had never heard of.” She emphasized the intimate and familial atmosphere of the Cypriot filmmaking environment, assuring Connick Jr. that he could focus on his artistry. “And he has said it was the best production experience of his life, which is a huge compliment to me and my team because the people there are really doing it because they love and care about the work. It’s not massive paydays, it’s not massive glory. We just really love making films.” Connick Jr.’s agreement was instrumental in securing financing and bringing the film to a global audience.
Harry Connick Jr. and Ali Fumiko Whitney in Find Me Falling scene
Despite the current streaming boom for romantic films, Kliris acknowledged the ongoing challenge of attracting male leads to the genre. She lauded Connick Jr.’s dedication and collaborative spirit in portraying john allman: “Harry was a dream to work with — very generous, accessible, and the loveliest human. I don’t say this for PR purposes. He’s become just the dearest friend and he’s a real artist. He has nothing to prove. He does things because he loves to do them, and he shows up and he’s brilliant.” She highlighted his professionalism, punctuality, and positive attitude, attributing these qualities to his father’s teachings.
Connick Jr.’s approach to john allman was deeply immersive. “He was really into the character, and we discussed what he would look like, what tattoos he [would have]. Because those are obviously fake tattoos.” This attention to detail extended to the character’s musical instruments; Connick Jr. even sourced the guitar used in the film, personalizing it with “JA” initials for john allman.
Kliris initially had reservations about Connick Jr.’s transformation into a rugged rock star, but was quickly convinced of his capability. “At first, I was skeptical about his ability to pull off a rugged rocker vibe. But he does and does it well. He looks hot!” She noted the physical transformation, “We let the beard grow out. Because he was supposed to be kind of in a bad place,” and humorously remarked on his Benjamin Button-like aging, “Harry’s aging like fine wine. He’s looking better and better with every day.”
The director emphasized Connick Jr.’s inherent star quality and his commitment beyond just delivering lines. “When you meet Harry, you realize why some people are stars. There’s a certain level of charisma that you just cannot explain, and you don’t see in everybody, and that comes out on screen. But he has a lot of depth to him, and like I said, it’s not just a job. He’s not just there to deliver his lines and go. He cares. He contributes, he questions the lines, we discuss the scenes, we workshop the dialogue.” His comedic side also enriched the set atmosphere, creating a positive and productive environment. Furthermore, Kliris appreciated his respect and support for her as a female director: “He’s very supportive of women. Obviously, he’s been surrounded by strong women his whole life — his family, his manager. It was super-empowering to have somebody just put all his trust in me. Whatever I said, he went for, and he did.”
Connick Jr.’s musical contributions to Find Me Falling are significant, including original songs like “Find Me Falling” and a memorable Greek serenade performed for Agni Scott. Kliris shared the emotional impact of the serenade scene: “That’s my favorite scene in the film. It’s very, very precious to me. I love it. We deliberately took away the subtitles from [the serenade] just because we didn’t want people to get lost in reading the lines — we wanted them just to feel the scene.” She explained the serenade’s simple yet profound message of love and admiration. Adding a layer of serendipity, Agni Scott’s husband, Scott Handy, had serenaded her with the same Greek song at their wedding, making the scene deeply personal for her and reinforcing her connection to the film.
Kliris’s personal connection to Cyprus is deeply rooted, with both parents hailing from the island. “Both my parents are from Cyprus. My dad was an immigrant to South Africa. My mom was a refugee during the war in ’74 in Cyprus.” Despite growing up in South Africa, her Cypriot heritage and subsequent move back to the island in 2010 provided her with a unique perspective, blending insider and outsider viewpoints, which informed her storytelling in Find Me Falling. “When I moved to Cyprus, I was still a little bit of a foreigner or an outsider, which was perfect for me because I can understand both perspectives when writing a film like this and having the local characters and the foreign character.” She expressed her fondness for Cyprus, acknowledging its unique charm and community spirit.
Stelana Kliris filming Committed in Cyprus
Find Me Falling is not Kliris’s first foray into romantic comedies set in Cyprus. She previously wrote and directed Committed, further exploring themes of love and life choices within the Cypriot backdrop. Her attraction to love stories stems from a broader appreciation for love in various forms: “I love the idea of love. It doesn’t necessarily have to be romantic love. It can be family, it can be friends, and also the idea of the love of your dreams.” She sees her films as offering audiences escapism and aspirational narratives. Find Me Falling, however, delves deeper into themes of legacy and human connection. “[With Find Me Falling], I was thinking about legacy and what we leave behind. … and I heard something along the lines [of], “What you leave behind is not in your art or your children, but rather than the way that you treat people.” And that’s become a little bit of a mantra of mine. And that was kind of the idea I wanted to express because [john allman] was this huge rock star and despite all the fame and fortune, he hadn’t really invested in his personal life or his relationships or his friendships, and he was in this moment of crisis.”
Balancing motherhood with a demanding filmmaking career is a constant consideration for Kliris. With a four-year-old daughter, she acknowledges the challenges and the necessity of support systems. “I think it’s an important question because that was the biggest challenge of all, and I ask it every day. I ask everybody the same question. … It’s not a magical answer — it’s [having] support. My husband, Alex, took a step back from his work and looked after her and our parents, [who] also pitched in…” She describes the intense balancing act of long shooting days followed by dedicated time with her daughter, highlighting the motivation motherhood provides for her creative endeavors.
Find Me Falling, starring Harry Connick Jr. as the introspective john allman, offers a blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt reflection on life’s priorities. Stelana Kliris’s direction and Connick Jr.’s compelling performance create a film that resonates with audiences seeking both entertainment and emotional depth. Now available on Netflix, this movie invites viewers to witness john allman‘s journey of self-discovery against the stunning backdrop of Cyprus.
