Falling Down (1993)
Director: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Barbara Hershey, Rachel Ticotin
Primary genre: Action
Joel Schumacher’s “Falling Down” has since its release become a cult hit. Featuring Michael Douglas in a military haircut and the now iconic costume of a white button shirt, a tie and a bat, it showcases how a variety of social and personal events can push a person over the edge.
Under an excessively hot day in LA (and without any obvious reason), Douglas’s character, (smartly named after his license plate) ‘DFENSE’, is determined to reach his daughter’s birthday party in West LA by any means necessary. Being a metropolitan Odyssey, DFENSE encounters individuals that represent different socioeconomic facets (and structures) of the City of Angels. With shades of grey morality muttered mainly by the protagonist at every turn, those who seek to mislabel the film as an angry white guy vehicle against all minorities have failed to grasp its themes and satirical commentary.
Through several set pieces that include gang members, rude clerks, angry rich men and the setting of a populous and decaying city that does not offer anything but hopelessness, we discover that it is our prejudices and beliefs which drive our conviction and will for action. DFENSE represents the typical law abiding citizen who does not deviate from society’s predestined path - live to work with no system support, and when his choices start affecting bystanders, the film asks some tough questions for everyone.
Moments like when DFENSE acknowledges the struggles of a fellow middle man (in the form of a “not economically viable” African American clerk), who is swept away silently by society is where “Falling Down” shines inviting us to recognize the present faults of our social structure. While it is easy to agree with the on-screen proceedings and the comeuppance that is being displayed, Schumacher’s dynamic direction (wisely) does not condemn or condone DFENSE’s behaviour leaving it up to the viewer to decide. Even the main character questions himself in the film’s most poignant scene “Am I the bad guy now?”.
Yet, there is a feeling of invisible restriction that the final product could have been more on point with its commentary and the inclusion of higher stakes. Despite the variety of segments that see DFENSE crossing paths with neonazis and lazy public workers, it would have been fantastic to explore more dynamic social aspects that are only superficially touched but maybe the goal here is to view the film as an actual middle ground satire instead of dramatic action flick for the ages.
Nevertheless, the whole film relies entirely on Douglas’ performance who is sensational as a ticking time clerk with ambiguous anger issues. And while Douglas destroys everything in his path, unfortunately films that center around the protagonist do not leave room for the rest of the cast. Robert Duvall comes slightly close to a fully formed second lead as a last-day-on-the-job-lieutenant but he does not get any meaningful development or progression while Douglas ex-wife (portrayed by the awesome Barbara Hershey) has no more than actual five minutes of screentime.
“Falling Down” lives up to its name. More of a character study rather than a full-blown action film, “Falling Down” has enough to differentiate itself from banal movies of the same genre that are populated with empty thoughts and even emptier characters. Those who seek a sharper commentary and a more judgmental direction might want to look elsewhere but Douglas’s acting is a tour de force and deserves the price of the admission alone.
+Interesting concept
+Grey morality
+Douglas is sensational
+Sharp social commentary
-Not gritty enough
-Feels it could have gone a bit further
-Not real stakes