Falling Down

This 1993 Joel Schumacher film explores the banality of everyday life, in a world exposed to the most intense of media saturation and the effect it has on those already being pushed over the edge.

Michael Douglas plays the dangerous anti-hero as he attempts to get to his daughter's birthday party, having to overcome various delinquents and societal problems in his path. Whilst Douglas' character William Foster appears at times to be mentally delusional, he oftens utters remarks regarding the state of the world's economy and takes a vigilante approach which many would deem fair and understandable. Though when picked up on the vigilante theory, Foster looks to flatly deny the remark. Douglas plays Foster well, giving off an aura of confusion, frustration and loneliness which is meant to define the everyday man in a world destroyed by advertising, political correctness and fascism.

There are various themes at work in Falling Down. Not only do patriotism, racism and homophobia get a mention, but family values also appear. Foster's only goal seems to be to rid the world of meaningless bureaucratic processes, criminals and everyday dangers, whilst trying to see his daughter on the happiest day of her young life. Thinly veiled though, is the depression and powerless existance which Foster finds himself living. Having separated from his wife, presumably due to his sporadic behavioural problems, and having been fired from his job, he has nothing to live for in life other than the wellbeing of his daughter. Except the only way he can leave her with any kind of life is to end his.

8/10