Viggo Mortensen writes, directs and stars in movie about a gay man caring for his homophobic father

Why don’t you go make a movie?

Thats not true. Plenty of books and movies have been made by white men about black people. (Color Purple Movie, Lovecraft Country Book)

r2 is right. And do we know for sure he is 100% straight?

I wish Viggo would come take care of me.

just seems like an odd choice for a str8 guy

I'm not convinced he is 100% straight after the tales of what happened on the LOTR set.

Well this plot has nothing to do with secretly sucking a cock or two r3, it's about living as a gay man and dealing with a homophobic society.

He said he wrote it on behalf of his brothers so maybe one of them is gay. Semiautobiographica...so his story, the brothers' story, story of the whole family, etc.

Viggo is so gorgeous. The things I would do to that man.

Who wouldn't, R4?

Are you sure it wasn't the gay paraplegic that climbed Mt. Whitney?

[quote]it's about living as a gay man and dealing with a homophobic society.

No, the plot's about living as a gay man and dealing with a homophobic father.

Society can only be homophobic so long as people like you keep insisting it's the norm. The rest of us have moved on and are marginalizing homophobia like we do any repugnant belief.

odd how some men feminize as they go into old age. i guess that's what the "looks like an old lesbian" thing is all about.

Men's testosterone decreases and their estrogen increases as they age, R13, so it happens to all to us men to some degree.

Does he go full-frontal again?

I love the man and hope his movie is a hit.

A stunning beauty in his youth who still looks great.

Best bone structure EVAH!

Oh just stop it OP! Are you saying that gay writers can’t write stories about people who aren’t gay?

Ridiculous! If you’re so concerned then do what R1 above suggested.

I want him in me, quite deeply.

Viggo in Indian Runner...

If he's willing to go naked in at least three of his films, and let's face it, we are the primary audience for that and he knows it, why wouldn't he be able to identify with the gay experience?

Straight people only make movies with gay characters and story lines for awards. They don't give two shits about us or our lives.

You think Tom Hanks did Philadelphia because he actually cared that gay men were dying and being discriminated against?

Didn't have a brief affair with David Cronenberg?

Sounds like he's at least dallied...

R2 "The Color Purple" was written by a black woman. The book anyway.

OP, do kindly fuck off.

OP, do kindly fuck off.

Viggo Mortensen is a racist, he was caught using the "N" word. Isn't he eastern European?

He's nothing but another racist Cracker.

Fuck him!

[quote] Didn't have a brief affair with David Cronenberg?

Cronenberg must have been subjected to Mortensen's casting couch - he has a small role in Viggo's film.

Why isn’t Dustin Lance Black out there writing movies like this? What does he do for a living now?

Viggo can play whatever and whomever he wants.

So tired of all this nonsense. Go make your own fucking movie if you don't like others making it. Get off you fat, lazy, entitled ass and do it instead of lazily typing 140 characters.

He's a very cunning linguist, which I always find very attractive:

R12, just a brilliant reply. So glad to see that some people are so willing to move forward without all the self-pity, perpetual victimhood bullshit. I always wonder why more of us don't do this. Constantly wandering through life in a when-will-this-world-allow-me-to-walk-in-my-truth haze has got to be exhausting! But the what would you idiots have to tweet about?

R33, but without that, how would Roxane Gay, Randa Jarrar, Myriam Gurba etc have a job?

In other words, I agree with you, wonderful post.

Someone really wants to polarize and generalize. Viggo used the "N" word once in the third person in reference to the ignorance and racism of the deep South as context for The Green Book, discussing its history with the press. He immediately apologized when he realized it could be (and has been) taken out of context. Look at his art and poetry and photography. Some people should be vilified for racism. Viggo's not one of them.

R1 It’s because we’ve always wanted to fuck Viggo.

What is it that you want to happen OP?

Quality representation is quality representation, regardless of who is behind it. Isn't that a goal of ours, to have our lives understood to be interpreted intellectually by our non-gay peers? There are plenty--PLENTY--of gay movies, books, social media platforms with gay self-appointed experts telling 'our' stories through desperate stereotyping, perpetuating vapid value systems, & preaching the separatist idea that everyone in the world is against us. I'm counting on a good story with textured characters to properly, authentically represent me to those who may not quite understand my life & those those who share a life like mine. I don't care who's behind it, as long as there's the perception of actually how relatable being gay is to being otherwise.

Great post R38. You totally nailed it. 100% agreed.

R39, thank you, really thank you!!!

[quote]You think Tom Hanks did Philadelphia because he actually cared that gay men were dying and being discriminated against?

Yes

It was Denzel Washington who had the "Eureka" moment while filming "Philadelphia". He said he was forced to take a look at his own perceptions of gay people, and he realized had it all wrong.

He looks terrible in the OP photo. He was fairly attractive in the "Psycho" remake, but I never understood the appeal.

OSCAR BAIT

He's 62 years old R43.

I like the OP's pic of Viggo. He looks like a man who's lived life. Weathered but still hot.

R45 he actually looks young and still very attractive for 62. I thought he was around 55

This was what the fueled the Prancing Ponies for years.

By the logic presented above (application of new "no cultural appropriation" rules), a gay person can never make movies about straight people. I'm sure in Hollywood's history there are a few gay folk who have made movies about straight people, ya think?

I want to see the movie. Hollywood makes so few gay themed movies - come on!!!

The untold story of gay men is that they are often picked by the family (or take on the role themselves) of caregiver for aging parents. We've heard this story many many times on datalounge. I acted as my mother's caregiver for 22 years, until this year, and my story is only one of hundreds of similar ones that I've read on datalounge. . But this is not at all the image that the wider world has of gay men, who are mostly regarded (and depicted) as amoral, hedonistic, selfish, and driven completely by their sexual urges. I think it will be very healthy to have this story represented on screen by a good actor. I applaud Viggo for taking on the role.

R51 In part it's "well, you don't have kids, so...."

[quote]No other community lets their voices be completely co-opted by people who aren't in that community.

Huh? How might gay people prevent this, among the few who think it even matters? Do you think for-profit show business is some sort of Human Rights non-profit organization here to solve your aggrieved social justice demands?

Actors actually portray people they are not, that's basically the whole idea. It matters not at all which actor plays any role, as all they are hired to do is to serve the character through the writing. The only nice thing is that gay stories are represented at all, not who plays them. You're supposed to suspend your disbelief and pretend Meryl Streep really is Julia Child! See?

You sound jejune.

This movie sounds like such a 90s project: the selfless gay whom you have to like because he's so nice (and so virgin).

So many Junes.

"This movie sounds like such a 90s project: the selfless gay whom you have to like because he's so nice (and so virgin)."

That's one of the big problems with casting straight (or closeted) actors in gay roles, they're so fucking squeamish! They kiss their supposed lovers like they're a frat boy who's just been dared to kiss a tarantula!

So whether this movie is an artistic and cultural success largely depends on whether Viggo is willing to get physical with another guy. For real.

I just watched Falling. I really enjoyed it. i hope Alan ball watches it too to get some ideas about casting.

Good points R51. I often see posts here from DLers who have been primary care giver for decades. This has disrupted their lives, affected them professionally and financially and then when the parent passes away leaves them with a lost life. It's a story that happens all too often and is virtually unthought of in the real world. It would be good to get the story out there.

Certain sectors of the American public believe that Hollywood should be in the propaganda business, churning out ideologically-correct documentaries rather than in the entertainment business.

I'm another gay man who spent years as a caregiver to my parents. I'm fortunate that they weren't homophobic....by the time they had to learn to trust me and depend on me. I know other gay men and women who've had similar experiences. I'm happy for anyone (gay or not) who is willing to try to illuminate the lives we've made for ourselves, if they're willing to approach the subject with some insight and honesty.

And ghost movies have been made by the living. Talking about appropriation!!! Sacrilege!!!

A good story is a good story. There are so many poorly written, produced, directed and acted gay-themed movies to this day. They're often trite and for decades they felt like they were made for simpletons. If he turns out a well-made movie based on well-written and not-one-dimensional characters, then I don't care if he spends all day jerking off to straight porn and banging female groupies.

It's hardly one of my favorite movies, but consider that Brokeback Mountain, which told a real, human story, was written by an old straight lady who really had little affection for gay men in particular, and meanwhile Will & Grace, a human cartoon about gay men, was made by gay men.

Argh, this appropriation shit is so tiresome. The whole point of being a writer is imaging what it would be like if....

^^imagining

He seems not happy about people assuming he's "completely straight":

[quote]He is aware that many critical eyebrows will be raised over his decision to cast himself as a gay character when he is, at least based on available evidence, not gay. “Look, these are the times we’re living in, and I think it’s healthy that those issues are brought up,” he says. “The short answer is that I didn’t think it was a problem [...] And how do you know what my life is? You’re assuming that I’m completely straight. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. And it’s frankly none of your business. I want my movie to work, and I want the character of John to be effective. So if I didn’t think it was a good idea I wouldn’t do it.”

He's a Danish polyglot. He is fluent or conversational in at least seven languages, he founded a publishing company, he writes poetry, paints and has recorded albums. I don't know why anyone would expect someone who is so creatively diverse (not to mention Scandinavian) to have a rigid view of sexual orientation.

R6 wait a sec....what happened on the LOTR set?

I only object to casting a straight man in a gay role Or a white actor in an Asian role for a money making piece of studio entertainment. For serious artistic films is ok.

Isn't this the plot of that movie with Russell Crowe from the late 90s?

R67, it's at R48.

Apples and oranges, R68, discussed by these actors here including Viggo...

[quote]Go make your own fucking movie if you don't like others making it.

Hey R31, how are we suppose to make our own movies when all the financing goes to hets making gay themed films?

I'll only watch it if the gay character dies.

These movies are made for het audiences not gay audiences. Just like every other gay themed movie made by hets. It's all about them, not us. I'd rather watch the shittiest gay film made by gay people, than some Hollywood bullshit movie made to romanticize our lives and make us palatable to straight people.

And all the idiots supporting this are the same idiots who think we've arrived and everything is peachy keen now. Just wait until the right wing courts start taking on gay rights and watch our lives revert back to the 1950s.

No one can get a gay themed film made today without being straight. Simple as that.

R74, you are arguing against yourself.

I'm arguing against straight people taking everyone else's stories R77.

Did they made him shave for R15 ?Cause he's really hairy at R17

R78 Returning to a point upthread, George Cukor should never have been able to direct and appropriate stories about straight people? Seriously, I am interesting how you think about this. Because "straight" is the dominant orientation, anyone can "appropriate it",? Is that your rationale?

My failing dad lived with both me and my partner for the first year of our relationship. We both cared for him, fed him, bathed him, loved him as the "dwindles" took him to death. It was a great experience. My partner and I are still together, 25 years later.

R80 George Cukor lived in two worlds--the straight world of Hollywood and the gay world of his personal life.

Straight people live in one world, their own. They know nothing about us, our lives or struggles.

I've been a care giver since the age of 17. The comments here about gay people being the default care giver applies to me too. But that does not mean I want to see yet another sad sack gay man story. I seriously doubt Viggo Mortensen can even begin to imagine what our lives were like. But he'll pretend that he does and he'll get awards and be told how brave he is.

[quote]I don't want to see any gay character exhibit any kind of joy or happiness. Just have them be miserable martyrs!

That pretty much sums up what hets want to see when they go see movies like this.

R81 I think the grievance analysis can still be made, but not with the data from old decades. So many gay faces in movies and TV now, and not just "wrist slasher tragedians"

It is on Piratebay if you want to see it now.

[quote] So many gay faces in movies and TV now, and not just "wrist slasher tragedians"

It's gone to the other extreme now. Gay men are presented as perfect, neutered characters. We're pets and the perfect gay bestie that women imagine we are. Gay characters played by straight actors are so saccharine and cloying that there's no real depth or personality to them.

Isn't that the whole point of what an actor does, R81, i.e. inhabit a character whose frame of reference might be entirely different? If we start limiting actors to roles that coincide with what they've actually experienced, that isn't acting. It's just recreating. A good actor will research and learn enough to inhabit the role without necessarily having lived it.

^^^Bullshit

Next R85 will drag out the tired chestnut that Silence Of The Lambs didn't use a real serial killer in the role of Lecter to justify straight actors getting all the gay roles.

So then gay actors should only be allowed to play gay characters?

Yes, by the new rules of Hollywood

Trannies got Scarlett Johansson fired from a tranny role. Trannies should only be allowed to play tranny roles not actual women and actual men roles.

Light skinned blacks should only play light skinned blacks. Look at the controversy that surrounded Zoe Saldana portrayal of the black as a boot musical genius Nina Simone. All dark skinned black roles should be played, women and men, by Viola Davis.

[quote]So then gay actors should only be allowed to play gay characters?

Another favorite straw man argument by the Pollyanna's who believe there is equality in casting.

Gay actors are lucky to get any role, so much as gay roles.

It's not a straw man argument. It's pointing out a double standard. Nobody said there's equality in casting. But limiting gay roles to gay actors is no different than limiting straight roles to straight actors, let alone the range of sexuality in between. Otherwise you're stating "what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine". The actor who can most convincingly play the role is the one who should be cast, regardless of sexuality.

[quote]"what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine"

You've just described this film. Straight actor co-opts his brother's story to make it his own.

Straight actors get everything. Gay actors get what they can. That's the truth about casting. Straight actors are always considered "the right choice" when it comes to gay roles. Gay actors get the scraps.

" Straight actor co-opts his brother's story to make it his own."

I presume he had the brother's permission and cooperation. If not, I'd LOVE to see n interview with the brother!

Judging from OP’s pic, the show’s hairstylist won’t be wining any awards anytime soon!

[quote]He said he wrote it on behalf of his brothers so maybe one of them is gay. Semiautobiographica...so his story, the brothers' story, story of the whole family, etc.

Mortensen dedicated “Falling” to his brothers, and though the characters in the film are not explicitly playing his father or the rest of his family, they would recognize the feelings and ideas Mortensen embedded within it.

“My brothers, to whom it’s dedicated to, would recognize certain dynamics, a few phrases, a couple of events. But it’s 99.9% fiction, but they would recognize the feelings behind it,” he told TheWrap’s Steve Pond at Sundance. “What stimulated me to write the story has a lot to do with how I feel about my parents.”

In another interview Viggo originally planned on having his character be straight.

Mortensen stressed to Reuters that the gay role is not "a gimmick, anchor or some trigger." While he had not initially planned on the character being gay, he was inspired to change his sexual orientation while penning an airport scene in his script where John receives a call from his partner.

“I thought, what if it’s not a wife? What if it’s a husband?” Mortensen said. “I’ll try that. I’ll write the next scene and see how it feels. If it doesn’t work or feels somehow not right for the story, then I won’t use it, but I liked it.”

"In another interview Viggo originally planned on having his character be straight."

When a married straight man takes on the role of caregiver to an aging parent, it's usually his wife who does 99% of the caring gruntwork. So maybe the main character was changed, because a gay son is actually expected to be a min caregiver, when a married straight son is not.

Which is speculation about Viggo's movie, but true of real life.

[quote]r96 When a married straight man takes on the role of caregiver to an aging parent, it's usually his wife who does 99% of the caring gruntwork.

Yeah.... people are going on about the burden gays have thrust upon them now in caring for aging parents. Do they realize in some cultures this was always the youngest daughter’s role, regardless of how she felt about it... for centuries?

r97 What is your point? In Samoa, fa'afafine care for the parents the same as daughters do. This is normal in societies that accommodate gay men in female social roles.

I don’t know if this comment should go here or in the little things that piss you off thread, but I’m tired of the young (they sound young, anyway) gay men on this site who talk about all the oppression they suffer. You really don’t have it that bad.

R99 One of the most moronic things to post on a gay forum. Why do people even insist?

Insist on what, r100?

Stop hating on Viggo cuz he’s on our side. Focus on the ones who are not.

I don't care if he's straight. May he shine in splendor undimmed before the breaking of the world like the kings of old!