”Falling” is Viggo Mortensen’s directorial debut, an austere, sometimes rewarding film, which features the absolute worst movie father since James Coburn raised hell in Paul Schrader’s “Affliction.”
Read more“Green Book” Actor Viggo Mortensen Says Don Shirley’s Family’s Criticisms “Unjustified”
Covering the dark cloud of controversy that's been looming over Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book” has not been fun for me. This is a film that, in all likelihood, will be nominated for Best Picture, and all this despite Viggo Mortensen uttering the N-word last month at a Q&A, and despite accusations implying that it goes against the current grain of progressive thought, with the term "white savior" having been uttered more than a few times by film journalists and despite Dr. Don Shirley's family coming out most recently and saying the film is a "symphony of lies."
Read moreDon Shirley’s Family Says “Green Book” is a “Symphony of Lies,” and That He Was Never Friends With Tony
I've been covering the dark cloud of controversy that's been looming over Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book,” a film that, in all likelihood, will be nominated for Best Picture, and all this despite Viggo Mortensen uttering the N-word last month at a Q&A, and despite accusations implying that it goes against the current grain of progressive thought, with the term "white savior" having been uttered more than a few times by film journalists.
Read moreViggo Mortensen Says Accusations of Racism are ‘Unfair’ and ‘Dangerous’
Viggo Mortensen spoke to France 24 [video interview] to promote his Oscar-contender “Green Book.” Of course, the conversation had to turn to the actor’s recent use of the N-word. If you remember, Mortensen used the derogatory word during a November post-screening Q&A. Mortensen has always maintained that his intention behind using the word was to explain the inherent core of what racism is about.
Read moreMahershala Ali: Viggo Mortensen’s Use of the N-Word Was ‘Hurtful,’ but ‘I Can Accept His Apology'
I will say this: Words do matter, but Mahershala Ali's statement today about the "n-word" and how its use “by those who aren’t black," not being "up for debate” is rather interesting and, ironically, opens up debate. For years now the word has been used by the people it was historically used to humiliate — many believe as a way to reclaim it. But does that make logical sense? Maybe the past should be the past and the word should be condemned by all, not being used as a way to let it die a slow death.
Read moreViggo Mortensen Apologizes After Using The N-Word During ‘Green Book’ Q&A
During a Q&A following a screening of his latest film "Green Book" on Wednesday (via THR), a film about racism in the 1960's, Viggo Mortensen answered a question by using the N-word. The actor was trying to describe how progress is being made in today’s climate. The gist of what he said was about how racism came in waves, saying “I’m gonna go off on a tangent here, but it’s important, and I don’t like saying the word, but, for instance, people don’t say n—— anymore.”
Read moreOscar: Best Actor is Three-Way-Race Between Cooper, Bale and Mortensen
Sasha Stone's Best Actor analysis over at Awards Daily— “On Heroes, Failed Heroes, Anti-Heroes,“ summarizes where we are at right now in terms of the pretenders and contenders:
“This year, at least right now, it looks like we’re putting a failed hero (A Star Is Born‘s Bradley Cooper) up against a straight-up hero (Green Book‘s Viggo Mortensen) and an anti-hero (Vice‘s Dick Cheney).
Viggo Mortensen & Mahershala Ali Drama ‘Green Book’ Wins 2018 Toronto Film Festival People’s Choice Award
The very worthy winner of the coveted Grolsch People’s Choice Award, Peter Farrelly’s Green Book is the dictionary definition of crowd-pleaser. Featuring one of the funniest scripts I’ve seen in ages, it has immense relevance to America’s current flareup of racial animosity. It’s the true story of an Italian-American driver Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen) hired in the early ’60s to drive renowned African-American pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) on a concert tour through racist bible-belt states. From casting, to direction, to wry witty writing, this movie fires on all cylinders. [Review]
Read more'Green Book' is high-level mainstream entertainment [TIFF]
"Green Book" is directed by Peter Farelly who, along with his brother Bobby, is the 'auteur' that gave us such classic artistic statements as "Dumb and Dumber," and "There Something About Mary." Presenting "Green Book" at the world premiere last night, Farelly, unsurprisingly, mentioned, that after 40 years in the industry, this was the first time he got to present one of his movies at a film festival. With "Green Book" he may have just delivered the most successful and rousing screening of any filmmaker this festival.
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