Sometimes we all feel outnumbered, confused, or "not economically viable". But thankfully most of us don't strike back violently like Michael Douglas in Falling Down. Douglas plays an unemployed defense contractor who finds himself out of a job in the early 1990s now that the Cold War is over. He is also estranged from his family, and thought to be a danger to them. One morning, while stuck in a traffic jam, he cannot take any more. He gets out of his car and starts walking across L.A., claiming he is simply "going home". Basically this means to his daughter's birthday party where even if he made it there, he would not be welcome anyway. He reacts violently to anyone who confronts or hassles him on the way home. And on the streets of L.A., there is trouble around every corner. Douglas leaves plenty of victims in his wake. Depending on your own life's experiences, you may or may not agree with his actions.
It is easy to compare this movie to Death Wish, or some other vigilante film, but this is far more complex for better or sometimes worse. The big problem with the film is its meandering perspective. The scenes where Douglas confronts stereotypical big city types are often constructed in a manner that we the audience are supposed to see it his way. We are supposed to recognize their behavior or attitudes that set him off, and more or less accept his reaction. All the while we are meant to believe he is crazy. So, in effect, if we've ever thought about taking out our frustrations on rude or dangerous people, then we may in fact be crazy too. Douglas is clearly a loon, but so are these stereotypical store clerks, construction workers, gang members, old buzzards on a golf course, homeless urchins, etc. How can we not take some satisfaction as Douglas stabs a Neo-Nazi? Or blows up a needless construction site that is wasting tax payer money? Does that make us crazy, too? Or does it only if we actually commit the violence? The film has some annoying female characters playing Douglas's estranged wife and Robert Duvall's overbearing wife. In fact, just about every character is this film is somewhat annoying. Maybe this is done to add to the frustration Douglas feels. Duvall plays an aging cop working his last day before retirement. His aggravating wife keeps demanding he comes home before he gets hurt on his last day. That whole angle is a bit stereotypical. Did it have to be his LAST day? How about a couple months before retirement? Joel Schumacher has done much worse, but Falling Down is not great. How you respond to it will depend on your own perspectives. Can you believe this is almost 20 years old? Is L.A. better or worse since then? How has your town or city changed? Are you economically viable? A greater number of Americans likely find themselves not so viable in these days of Hope and Change. 7 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
It is easy to compare this movie to Death Wish, or some other vigilante film, but this is far more complex for better or sometimes worse. The big problem with the film is its meandering perspective. The scenes where Douglas confronts stereotypical big city types are often constructed in a manner that we the audience are supposed to see it his way. We are supposed to recognize their behavior or attitudes that set him off, and more or less accept his reaction. All the while we are meant to believe he is crazy. So, in effect, if we've ever thought about taking out our frustrations on rude or dangerous people, then we may in fact be crazy too. Douglas is clearly a loon, but so are these stereotypical store clerks, construction workers, gang members, old buzzards on a golf course, homeless urchins, etc. How can we not take some satisfaction as Douglas stabs a Neo-Nazi? Or blows up a needless construction site that is wasting tax payer money? Does that make us crazy, too? Or does it only if we actually commit the violence? The film has some annoying female characters playing Douglas's estranged wife and Robert Duvall's overbearing wife. In fact, just about every character is this film is somewhat annoying. Maybe this is done to add to the frustration Douglas feels. Duvall plays an aging cop working his last day before retirement. His aggravating wife keeps demanding he comes home before he gets hurt on his last day. That whole angle is a bit stereotypical. Did it have to be his LAST day? How about a couple months before retirement? Joel Schumacher has done much worse, but Falling Down is not great. How you respond to it will depend on your own perspectives. Can you believe this is almost 20 years old? Is L.A. better or worse since then? How has your town or city changed? Are you economically viable? A greater number of Americans likely find themselves not so viable in these days of Hope and Change. 7 of 10 stars.
The Hound.