by Shane Conto
Why is it that Viggo Mortensen is never discussed as one of the best actors out there? He has quietly become a three-time Best Actor nominee at the Academy Awards. His three-film stint with David Cronenberg solidified him as a top-level actor. He can morph into so many roles like a Russian gangster, an Italian-American tough guy, or even Sigmund Freud. Now he takes his talents behind the camera with his directorial debut Falling. He is even throwing his name in the composing ring with a subtle yet emotive piano-based score. Falling tells the story of a gay man who attempts to help his father find a home in California. The complication, though, is that his father struggles with dementia and is a hateful and resentful man. Dementia plus hatred equals zero filler and quite the stressful situation for our protagonist.
Does Mortensen deliver an effective drama packed with so much emotional potential?
With this debut feature, Mortensen is able to deliver relatively well. The film that he has in front of him has plenty of emotional moments and difficult subject matter. Most of the scenes are packed with plenty of tension, in part due to the craft that Mortensen packs into each scene, but also the fantastic acting provided by this on-screen father-son combo. The camera work is subtle, yet effective, especially when they are capturing intense close-ups. But not every scene fires on all cylinders. There are definitely some awkward moments of acting in the background in some scenes and some of the flashback sequences can feel a bit stiff and poorly placed. But overall, Mortensen succeeds in creating an emotional ride the most maximizes its potential.
Mortensen was also the one who penned this story, but does his writing handle this volatile tale in the most effective way?
The scenes focusing on a younger version of this family can be a little heavy-handed and misplaced in the pace of the film. One of its weakest aspects is that some of the scenes can feel repetitive. For a film that hits the two-hour mark, the script could have used a trim to make sure its point came across in a more efficient way. This is a sad story and sometimes they hit the same beats over and over again, which feels like a bit much. But Mortensen’s script is anchored well by the two lead characters and their tense relationship. Mortensen portrays John who is a happily married gay man who avoids alcohol and verbal confrontations with his father (two things that have harmed him in the past). Willis (Lance Henriksen), his father, is a truly hateful man who has been vindictive and selfish his whole life. The lack of control that Willis struggles with because of his illness only compounds the issues between him and his son. The film builds to an intense and fiery climax that really highlights both leads and gives a great opportunity for its actors.
Speaking of which, how does the acting hold up?
Quite well when it comes to Mortensen and Henriksen. Mortensen uses great subtlety to deliver a sympathetic and moving performance. Restraint is a key to this performance in every facet. Mortensen does not overplay the homosexuality of his character (which many actors tend to do in a harmful way). He also uses small facial acting choices to slowly build his mounting frustration. A twitch and trembling cheek say so much more than any words could allow for this character to build up to a cathartic blow-up towards the finale. Then there is Henriksen. A character actor who has delivered strong performances throughout his career but rarely has he been given the opportunity to flex his acting chops like this. What a stare he has. He can look at a person and with a hate that is so poignant just from using his eyes. The close-ups used by Mortensen allow for Henriksen to act with great intensity as he balances hate, confusion, and bitterness. Is the performance big? Yes, but it works as the film establishes Willis as an aggressive and explosive man working perfectly as a foil to his reserved son. The climactic fight between Mortensen and Henriksen is intensive and explosive, paying off the slow burn of the whole film. One final acting note is that there is an interesting cameo with a famous presence in Mortensen’s career popping up as a doctor.
Is this a strong first attempt in the director’s chair for this talented and underappreciated actor?
It might be a bit messy at times but Mortensen shows plenty of potential. The acting performances by Mortensen and Henriksen deliver and drive this film forward in a powerful way. This story is emotional and complex, even if its script might be a bit repetitive and in need of a trim. One thing is for certain…this one will make you feel.
Grade: B