Robert Duvall names Viggo Mortensen his favorite co-star ever. [Image Source: WSWS]
Robert Duvall’s extensive acting career has placed him alongside some of the most legendary figures in film history. Over more than fifty years, he has worked with iconic directors like Francis Ford Coppola and shared the screen with stars such as Marlon Brando, Diane Keaton, Tom Cruise, and Will Ferrell. His broad filmography includes classic projects like The Godfather series and Apocalypse Now, highlighting a career filled with celebrated collaborations.
Duvall’s Most Cherished Collaboration
While many might assume Marlon Brando to be Robert Duvall’s ultimate co-star due to Brando’s legendary status, Duvall identifies a different actor as his favorite partner on set. Reflecting on his 2009 film The Road, Duvall praised his colleague Viggo Mortensen, saying,
“I never worked with a better guy than Viddo [Mortensen]. Wonderful actor and just a terrific guy”
. This heartfelt compliment highlights the deep respect Duvall holds for Mortensen amid a career featuring some of cinema’s biggest names.
Improvisation and Emotional Depth on The Road
The Road centers on two characters, played by Duvall and Mortensen, struggling to survive in a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape. Mortensen’s character, a father protecting his son, faces threats from cannibalistic groups roaming the streets. A particularly moving scene between them unfolded at a campfire, where Duvall chose to deviate from the script to explore the emotional core of their characters.
Duvall explained his decision to improvise:
Image of: Robert Duvall
“I’m not gonna ask permission from the director because he may say no. It wasn’t in the script or the book. I gave my character a song that he was looking for on the road that he couldn’t find, and wondered where he was. He’s looking for his son. And I improvised that scene as the camera rolled, and it gave me something very emotional and very, a great inner thing which worked.”
This spontaneous moment allowed him to tap into a more profound emotional place, enhancing the authenticity of their interaction.
Mortensen’s Response to Duvall’s Improvisation
Viggo Mortensen was deeply impressed by Duvall’s ability to bring such raw emotion to the scene. He remembered their candid conversation before filming, describing it as,
“We were just sort of sitting talking as they were setting up the camera and getting the fire ready for another take. We talked about, ‘Well, let’s forget everything, let’s just do one for ourselves. Let’s just let things happen’. There was nothing calculated. It was just like, ‘Let’s just open our hearts’, I guess, without saying it that way as much as we can and see where it goes.”
This approach created a unique atmosphere where the scripted storyline gave way to genuine connection. Mortensen added,
“He just threw me that line: ‘I had a boy once’, and I suddenly realised, ‘Wow, OK’. And I just went with him, you know?”
The unplanned exchange brought a powerful emotional layer to their characters’ relationship, an experience Mortensen described as pure magic.
The Significance of Their On-Screen Partnership
Despite Robert Duvall’s extensive experience with renowned actors and directors, his collaboration with Viggo Mortensen on The Road stands out as the most meaningful in his career. Mortensen’s openness and sensitivity to improvisation enabled Duvall to deliver a deeply affecting performance that elevated the film’s emotional impact. This partnership exemplifies how mutual trust and creative risk-taking can produce unforgettable cinematic moments.
As Robert Duvall continues to reflect on his favorite co-star experiences, his admiration for Mortensen underscores the importance of genuine connection and spontaneity in bringing fictional stories to life, especially in challenging narratives such as The Road’s bleak and desperate world.
