Rent Falling (2020)

Excellent Drama About Dementia - Falling review by GI

This semi-autobiographical film from Viggo Mortensen, who writes, directs, produces and stars is a clear and emotional drama that focuses on the effects of dementia. He gives a restrained performance as John, a gay man living with his husband and their young daughter in California. He has to bring his frail father, Willis (Lance Henriksen) to live with them as he seems incapable of looking after himself at his remote farm. Willis is a deeply unpleasant bigot and the early stages of dementia bring out the worst of his racism and homophobia, tolerated by John and his family. The film flashbacks into Willis' past as the condition evokes confused and disjointed memories and Mortensen cleverly shows how Willis' increasingly awful behaviour is tolerated rather than challenged other than by the young family members who are unafraid to react. There's also a generational conflict at play here and whilst Willis is so awful that you almost despair at the tolerance his family show him there are instances of kindness in his past that balance the character. Henriksen is excellent as is Laura Linney as his daughter who is deeply frightened by him but tries to hide it. This is an interesting and quite compelling drama that showcases Mortensen's creative talents. Well worth checking out.

A delicate, gentle & incredible directorial debut from Mortensen - Falling review by TB

I really enjoyed this and rented it solely because it was Mortensen's directorial debut & attracted excellent reviews.

It is a very beautiful, slow and gentle film. There is a very strong naturalistic feel, with frequent cutting back and fourth between the past and present. Mortensen is shown as a skilled writer as well as a bold and competent director.

The performances are also great, but front and center is Lance Henriksen. For many people, he will be known as Bishop from the Alien universe, But he is also an exceptional actor and here he is giving a massive, meaty role to inhabit. It is a towering performance, full of upset, hurt and hate. But underneath all of it is a deeply miserable and scared man. Mortensen is also great, perfect as a deeply hurt and wounded man, trying to do the right thing which taking a torrent of disgusting abuse, much of it homophobic.

If this is what Mortensen has done with his first attempt of directing, I cannot wait to see what he does next. A brilliant debut.

when tragedy can be 'enjoyed' - Falling review by CSF

Another type of coming of age. Great actors, great director. Not afraid to challenge the new philosophy of 'Woke', therefore very realistic and wise. You can draw your own conclusions and debate endlessly about it.

Not sure this story was worth telling - Falling review by GP

Obnoxious young man becomes an obnoxious, senile old man. Purely observational with the history provided giving us no explanations for either. Not sure why the film was made