"Disquieting" barely begins to describe Dutcher's latest film, "Falling," a dark and personal story of one man's troubled and bloody path to redemption.

Dutcher - who wrote, directed, co-produced and co-edited the film - stars as Eric, an L.A. videographer who works freelance, taping graphic accidents and crime scenes and selling the footage. It's a dirty job, and the toll of seeing all that violence is wearing on Eric, a nonpracticing Mormon, and his young wife, Davey (Virginia Reece).

When Eric gets footage of a crime in progress, he faces a double ethical dilemma. First, does he keep shooting or does he help the victim? Second, does he take the tape to the cops or sell it to a TV station? Eric's answers to both questions have devastating consequences. Meanwhile, Davey faces her own moral crisis. A struggling actress, she has the chance to get a dream role - but only if she gives in to the producer's advances.

The movie gets down and dirty on the L.A. streets as Dutcher gets a gritty handheld look from cinematographer Jim Orr. Dutcher's D.I.Y. approach extends to the lack of a music score and his own wrenching performance, which culminates in a blood-drenched finale that will shock the audience.

Actually, there's much in "Falling" that will shock the audience - especially those who know Dutcher only from "God's Army." Dutcher has traced a spiritual path for his characters that doesn't allow for easy answers, and the results are more authentic and rewarding because of it.

SEAN P. MEANS can be reached at movies@sltrib.com or 801-257-8602. Send comments about this review to livingeditor@sltrib.com.