User reviews

Viggo Mortensen has long held my respect as an actor, and has now gained it as a director, writer (and music composer) too. Falling is a tough film to watch, but one worth watching regardless. Lance Henriksen, now in his eighties, is better than ever, and I'm glad Viggo has given him a role worthy of his talent and acting range.

The role of the father is slightly overdone in his harshness, which makes the situation - hopefully - not very relatable, but that aside, Falling is a masterful directorial debut for Viggo Mortensen, and hopefully the first of many.

This film is very relatable and recommended. Its a complex study of the relationships between parent and child both in the past and present and how the process of aging including dementia humbles everyone. Realistic, gritty, hard to watch at times.

But it is also beautiful, heart felt and personal in its approach to life and the compromises and acceptance that come with it. Mortensen does a wonderful job of switching from past to present scenes and then back again.

Not everything is completely explained you get glimpses of why things have gone the way they have.

Memories can be like that and we never really know all the forces and incidents that shape another's personality.

I liked this film a lot. It is memorable and well done.

So well done. Most of it filmed in Toronto. Based on Mortensen's real relationships with his parents who both had dementia. Great acting by all. Very deep! No special effects. Just truth! Henrikson's performance is outstanding!

Family secrets are so painful, and most of us know someone who has experienced it.

"FALLING" is a strong, harsh and very moving film. Beautifully filmed in terms of light and colors, especially the nature scenes. Everyone plays deeply touching and convincing, but especially Lance Henriksen's acting is in a class of its own and he deserves an Oscar! Pay attention to every detail. They are joyful.

The first thing the father says to his little newborn son in the entrance scene: "I am sorry I brought you into this world ... so that you could die" - and the exit scene of this movie is amazing and liberating in more than one way- WOW! It is ingeniously written, directed and so beautifully filmed by Viggo Mortensen, and this film is his debut, as a director. And what a debut!

This IS a film about love - also the love that can not be expressed directly and genuinely and therefore becomes degenerated (bestial) and turned into hatred and pure evil. But it is first and foremost a film about a deeply complicated man and the masculine, about the feelings between father and son, father and daughter - and not least between a man and his two wives. But it is also a film about dementia and what this disease does to a human being and its relatives, and then it is a film about the fear of death. I do not know why we in Denmark or Europe have to settle for a differently cut version? The trailer shows several touching scenes, which are not in this one, among the cut scenes scenes are one where the sister weeping embraces her brother with the words: "Heaven does not want him and hell keeps sending him back!".

I was very impressed with this film. I watched, and in disgust I thought, "How can Willis be so mean...to everyone?" And then I thought, "Wow, I am often that mean." What an awful admission, but a necessary one. I can only hope that I don't age with such anger, and that my kids will forgive me for being so mean when they were younger. I hope they'll be as patient with me as John and Sarah were with Willis, when I'm at that stage in life. This film was rough to watch, but very meaningful. I loved Lance Henriksson's performance, and Viggo's and Laura's too. They all give the viewer SO MUCH to ponder.

A story of an American family delicately and deftly directed by first time director Viggo Mortensen. Outstanding performances by all the cast. A tour de force portrayal of a father (Lance Henriksen) who's scarred and bitter from life's disappointments and perceived betrayals. His son, (Mortensen) daughter (Laura Linney) and other relatives including children, are pained yet patient in dealing with dad while he slings insult after insult belying his bigotry and overall intolerance. Yet there are many layers to these characters, as they live their lives through flashbacks and present day moments. An outstanding directorial debut by the multitalented Mortensen, who also wrote the screenplay and did the music. Bravo!

Loved this movie. I am living it. As the father in this movie my father is the most self righteous person I have ever met. Thank you Viggo for bringing this story to film. For those who think it is over the top. Get over yourselves this is real life.

Well written, well acted, and a fantastic story. Enough said

I'd admit that I haven't seen this but I'm really looking forward to see a direction from Viggo. Also the most underrated actor Lance Hendrickson. Like to see the recognition he deserves