I've been meaning to rewatch this for some time, and think about it often.
Just as Alain Juppé required his cabinet in France to watch La Haine as a reminder of the social tensions in France they needed to bear in mind in their policy decisions, so Democratic Party officials in the US should have been made to watch Falling Down every couple of years.
The Republicans only had to see it once, get the message, and set about mining that rich seam, and reassuring the D-FENSs of the country that they were indeed the aggrieved good guys.
When this film was released, it was widely touted as a commentary on society where a regular guy snaps and rebels against the petty frustrations of everyday life. I have always found this a troubling reading as Michael Douglas’ character feels far from a rational man pushed to the brink. This review sums the film up really well for me and helps affirm my own feelings about it. In fact, it feels even more relevant to the present day than it did at the time.
I just rewatched this as I had watched Fellini's 8 1/2 and the opening of Falling Down is an homage to that... I saw this when I was a kid and the black man who is not "Economically Viable" telling Michael Douglas not to forgot about him always stuck with me. On my recent rewatch I noticed he is wearing the same outfit and same tie as Douglas.
Good review. I remember the movie. I saw it when it was released. It was one of a series of alienation-centric films along with Repo Man and Colors that featured Los Angeles as a kind of dystopian wonderland of seething decay. Duval was featured in two of the three. If you spent any time in Los Angeles, racial tension is always bubbling under the surface. I’d bet a certain number of black people identified with the rage in Colors as much as the white dude identified with Douglas’s character. I think that was part of the point of the films. Just a guess.
Awe man. This one brings back so many confused memories. I saw it as a kid and had no idea why this guy was so angry. It wasnt typical action movie my dad had thought, but neither of us could look away. Was only until years later did fully understand the complexity of this film.
It is a simple script about a man snapping. The conversation around white men in America feeling lost and rejected is a decades old one, there’s nothing recent about it and Falling Down is a fable about one man pushed too far. There are darkly funny moments you’re right, and in those moments you see DFENS’ humanity, which he fights a losing battle to hold on to during the whole movie.
A good villain never thinks they’re a villain and Douglas character is absolutely sympathetic. But his fear and anger change him into a man his family doesn’t recognize, a madman in pain who picks up a gun. He doesn’t realize he’s the bad guy at the end but he is — his actions harmed others, including those he loved. Thanks for reading and sharing your interpretation of the movie.
Dude, what is your obsession with race? Michael Douglas is a Caucasian person, ergo he plays Caucasian characters. Unless you’re trying to suggest he should “black-up” as the minstrel performers used to say?
Nothing about Falling Down is about race, except for the protagonist’s confrontation with the Neo-Nazi asshole, whom he kills.
But sure, say “boomer” a dozen more times and keep mentioning “white male” every other sentence - I’m sure it’ll convince people you’re a serious journalist, not clickbait. Whatever gets you off.
Other actors of his ilk didn’t portray adulterers and lunatics and crooked cops the way Douglas did — his contemporaries largely played it safe but Douglas didn’t, he explored the boomer generations dark side.
I’m not “pissed off” you illiterate pissant - you’re a bad joke. I’m not “offended at an essay” either, I’m criticizing a bad excuse for writing. And you either can’t read or refuse to accept criticism.
Keep up your whinging about boomers though kiddo, it’s real original.
But it’s not shoehorned. That DFENS looks like a white 50s era sitcom dad is essential to the character and to the LA of the 90s which was roiled by racial violence
I don’t think you’re responding in good faith now: this is a movie set in L.A. that is very much about the issues of the day. The L.A. of the early 90s was a city rocked by racial tensions. This is a political movie about race and gender and politics set in 90s LA. It is a funny honest and thoughtful movie. You may want to consider you’re making this very racial
I've been meaning to rewatch this for some time, and think about it often.
Just as Alain Juppé required his cabinet in France to watch La Haine as a reminder of the social tensions in France they needed to bear in mind in their policy decisions, so Democratic Party officials in the US should have been made to watch Falling Down every couple of years.
The Republicans only had to see it once, get the message, and set about mining that rich seam, and reassuring the D-FENSs of the country that they were indeed the aggrieved good guys.
When this film was released, it was widely touted as a commentary on society where a regular guy snaps and rebels against the petty frustrations of everyday life. I have always found this a troubling reading as Michael Douglas’ character feels far from a rational man pushed to the brink. This review sums the film up really well for me and helps affirm my own feelings about it. In fact, it feels even more relevant to the present day than it did at the time.
What a great read. I feel like I should have seen this when it came out, but I was 12... what did I know?
I just rewatched this as I had watched Fellini's 8 1/2 and the opening of Falling Down is an homage to that... I saw this when I was a kid and the black man who is not "Economically Viable" telling Michael Douglas not to forgot about him always stuck with me. On my recent rewatch I noticed he is wearing the same outfit and same tie as Douglas.
Good review. I remember the movie. I saw it when it was released. It was one of a series of alienation-centric films along with Repo Man and Colors that featured Los Angeles as a kind of dystopian wonderland of seething decay. Duval was featured in two of the three. If you spent any time in Los Angeles, racial tension is always bubbling under the surface. I’d bet a certain number of black people identified with the rage in Colors as much as the white dude identified with Douglas’s character. I think that was part of the point of the films. Just a guess.
Awe man. This one brings back so many confused memories. I saw it as a kid and had no idea why this guy was so angry. It wasnt typical action movie my dad had thought, but neither of us could look away. Was only until years later did fully understand the complexity of this film.
Thanks for sharing.
Sub'd. Re-stacked with a lil note. I look forward to your next post :)
Ty David!
“Michael Douglas spent the late 80s and early 90s playing flawed white men.”
Yeah - so? Had he attempted to play “flawed black men” it would likely had been the end of his career…
It is a simple script about a man snapping. The conversation around white men in America feeling lost and rejected is a decades old one, there’s nothing recent about it and Falling Down is a fable about one man pushed too far. There are darkly funny moments you’re right, and in those moments you see DFENS’ humanity, which he fights a losing battle to hold on to during the whole movie.
A good villain never thinks they’re a villain and Douglas character is absolutely sympathetic. But his fear and anger change him into a man his family doesn’t recognize, a madman in pain who picks up a gun. He doesn’t realize he’s the bad guy at the end but he is — his actions harmed others, including those he loved. Thanks for reading and sharing your interpretation of the movie.
Dude, what is your obsession with race? Michael Douglas is a Caucasian person, ergo he plays Caucasian characters. Unless you’re trying to suggest he should “black-up” as the minstrel performers used to say?
Nothing about Falling Down is about race, except for the protagonist’s confrontation with the Neo-Nazi asshole, whom he kills.
But sure, say “boomer” a dozen more times and keep mentioning “white male” every other sentence - I’m sure it’ll convince people you’re a serious journalist, not clickbait. Whatever gets you off.
Other actors of his ilk didn’t portray adulterers and lunatics and crooked cops the way Douglas did — his contemporaries largely played it safe but Douglas didn’t, he explored the boomer generations dark side.
Way to not address a single word of my comment. You’re a joke.
I addressed it in my comment and in the piece — you are just pissed off and offended at an essay about a movie. At words and ideas.
Everything I have to say I have said and you shared your opinion and that’s that. There is no debate here.
I’m not “pissed off” you illiterate pissant - you’re a bad joke. I’m not “offended at an essay” either, I’m criticizing a bad excuse for writing. And you either can’t read or refuse to accept criticism.
Keep up your whinging about boomers though kiddo, it’s real original.
But it’s not shoehorned. That DFENS looks like a white 50s era sitcom dad is essential to the character and to the LA of the 90s which was roiled by racial violence
But I understand your larger point
I don’t think you’re responding in good faith now: this is a movie set in L.A. that is very much about the issues of the day. The L.A. of the early 90s was a city rocked by racial tensions. This is a political movie about race and gender and politics set in 90s LA. It is a funny honest and thoughtful movie. You may want to consider you’re making this very racial
Can we just agree it’s a movie that still sparks arguments
A debate would require you to attempt to address a single point I’ve made, you pathetic child.
You really need the last word from the look of it. Too bad no one will be listening. Bye now.