Falling, the directorial debut by acclaimed actor Viggo Mortensen, is quite literal. It’s the story of a decline, or rather, the totality of the act when Willis (played by the sensationally nuanced Lance Henriksen) is struck by a neurodegenerative disease. From the birth of his son, John (played by Mortensen himself) and his adolescence when he comes out as gay, to Willis’ own adult life, the evocative film patiently travels between the past and present. Never seeking to make an inherently detestable character—Willis is homophobic and vaguely racist—lovable, though, Falling offers a look at the dualing complexities of humanity. With great delicacy, Mortensen recounts distress in the face of illness as well as the tender realization that life must persist.
I have NEVER LOOKED at ACTING AS A FORM of ARTISTIC EXPRESSION SEPARATE from OTHER MODES of EXPRESSION.
L’OFFICIEL: A song can start with a melody, line, or rhythm. When did you start thinking about writing Falling, and did you start with a specific scene in mind?
The story idea came to me after my mother’s funeral. I wanted made.
