Falling - Storia di un padre

I love Viggo Mortensen as an actor, and now as a director as well. The film is nuanced but not always an easy watch (slurs all around). The cast is truly excellent and Mortensen's poetic, meandering but still accessible directing style and score is exactly my cup of tea. and Lance Henriksen... amazing actor.

Viggo, perhaps one of the most underrated actors of the past few decades gives a heartbreaking performance. He also steps behind the camera, flexing his directing chops to guide this film. At times hard to watch, Falling manages to use flashback with a uniqueness not quite seen. He pulls the onion back just enough to keep your attention, using colors, landscapes and sound design to make the viewer reflect inwards. It misses the mark in the casting department for me, as Lance Henirckson at times is so offensive you lose all compassion for a man that has truly lost his ability to connect his mind with his words. That being said, there is comfort in the likes of Moretnesen and Linney as they suffer through his gut wrenching diatribes, their sadness shines through. Slow paced and purposeful, Falling is a must see for anyone who has a family member battling dementia, or an insufferable parent.

I watched an interview with Viggo and Mr Henriksen few weeks back talking about the making of the Film and what inspired him to write the Story. Now that I have watched the Movie twice, I get it. The reality of Dementia and Old Age is tough to swallow but the Film sets the Tone from the First scene. All the Flashbacks to the Past and still shots of Art and Beautiful scenery make it a kinda trippy ride. Since the story was loosely based on his own Family and personal experiences growing up Viggo was all in and it shows in his directing and acting in the Movie. The clash of characters and Nice Soundtrack make for a Fun watch. Sailors Language thru out. Lance Henriksen is the Man !

This film which should (I hate that word) be smooth and quiet, is exhausting. It's a train wreck with bodies being tossed aside one and two at a time by a vile old man who was even worse young one - and you cannot stop watching. Until he isn't. Or is he? If anyone has had a destructive personality (or two) in their life knows how true to life this film is. And how exhausting these people are. You want to love them, but ... While this film is difficult to watch, it is well worth it. Think what the actors had to go through to make this for us.

I was a bit skeptic to the film due to the "bad" score, but I liked the cast and was willing to give it a try. I am glad I did. This is one of those good films, with depth and very good acting. The scandinavian actors struggle some with sounding canadian/american, but it's not hurting the film. I guess the negative reviews are from folks wanting something else, this is just a good movie.