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Falling

Play trailer 1:42 Poster for Falling R Released Feb 5, 2021 1h 52m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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66% Tomatometer 96 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
FALLING follows John (Viggo Mortensen) who lives with his partner, Eric (Terry Chen), and their daughter, Mónica (Gabby Velis), in California, far from the traditional rural life he left behind years ago, while his conservative father, Willis (Lance Henriksen), lives alone on the isolated farm where John grew up. In the early stages of dementia, Willis is brought to John's California home to help him relocate. Unfortunately, their best intentions ultimately run up against Willis's adamant refusal to change his way of life in the slightest.
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Falling

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Critics Consensus

As messy and complex as the relationship at its center, Falling's repetitive nature can be taxing, but its heart is clearly in the right place.

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Critics Reviews

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Rex Reed Observer The strength, patience and universal need to forgive and bridge generational gaps Mr. Mortensen is aiming for have a devastating effect. Rated: 4/4 Feb 11, 2021 Full Review Adam Graham Detroit News It's a bold approach, but too often "Falling" comes off just as incorrigible as its lead character. Rated: C- Feb 11, 2021 Full Review Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) It's beautifully done and intense with some very dramatic scenes. Feb 6, 2021 Full Review Brittany Patrice Witherspoon Pop Culture Reviews With this stunning debut, it's truly a wonder how Mortensen didn't find his way behind the camera sooner in his career. Rated: 3/5 Jul 14, 2024 Full Review Rory Doherty InSession Film Mortensen does a commendable job of arguing how we need to accept the complex, conflicting nature of memory, but like John reflecting on the fractious relationship with his father, we’re left wondering why things didn’t turn out better. Rated: B- Jun 13, 2024 Full Review Josh Parham Next Best Picture The lackluster filmmaking is one underwhelming element, but the screenplay is another level of dreadful. Rated: 2/10 Jun 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (27) audience reviews
Lynne N This film was so moving, so well crafted and honest -- I felt captured in the midst of it -- that rarely happens for me. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/29/24 Full Review Dennis L One of the best movies I have ever seen. Complex plot…emotionally and spiritually deep. Lots to reflect on and personally appropriate. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/23/24 Full Review Steve K I like this for the same reason people do not - Viggo refuses to take the easy out and give Lance the stereotypical redemtpion arc that would have taken this into Oscar conversations. There is a reason that Lance found this character incredibly difficult to play Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/20/24 Full Review Kyle M Viggo Mortensen decently practiced in his ambitious debut with full command craftsmanship, benefitting from performative elevation but overall doesn't strongly show nor connect in disjointed, unbalanced fashions with intangible resolves. (B-) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/11/24 Full Review Cinephemeride For his first production, Viggo Mortensen offers us a film about the difficult relationships between a conservative and authoritarian father and a son full of love despite a difficult youth. A good little film that sometimes lacks rhythm a little. Special mention to the great Lance Henriksen Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/22/23 Full Review F A Viggo's directorial debut is a success. Superb casting and strong performances all around. The plot revolves around an aging patriarch's dementia taking its toll on two different generations. As a viewer it becomes hard to watch these adult children continue to accept the abusive (sexist, homophobic) behaviour he doles out rather than become estranged from the old man. His abrasive responses match the unforgivable personality traits consistently exhibited as his life unfolds on screen. The portrayals are convincing; dialogue is very strong and flashbacks help fill in the plot. Scenery shot in northern Ontario (posing as New York State) is beautiful. Great to see cameos by Canadians David Cronenberg and Paul Gross. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis FALLING follows John (Viggo Mortensen) who lives with his partner, Eric (Terry Chen), and their daughter, Mónica (Gabby Velis), in California, far from the traditional rural life he left behind years ago, while his conservative father, Willis (Lance Henriksen), lives alone on the isolated farm where John grew up. In the early stages of dementia, Willis is brought to John's California home to help him relocate. Unfortunately, their best intentions ultimately run up against Willis's adamant refusal to change his way of life in the slightest.
Director
Viggo Mortensen
Producer
Daniel Bekerman, Chris Curling, Viggo Mortensen
Screenwriter
Viggo Mortensen
Distributor
Perceval Pictures
Production Co
Ingenious Media, Zephyr Films, Perceval Pictures, Scythia Films, Baral Waley Productions , Achille Productions
Rating
R (Crude Sexual References|Brief Sexuality|Language Throughout|Nudity|Offensive Slurs)
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 5, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 5, 2021
Runtime
1h 52m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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