Review of Falling Down (1993) by Peter A — 13 Feb 2010

Michael Douglas demonstrates in this sad but amusing tale of a man in meltdown that he is a great actor, worthy of the name he bears.

Deadpan throughout as he succumbs to urban irritation and a deluded longing to see his disinterested wife, his portrayal of a doomed victim of circumstance never received the acclaim it deserved. Scenes like the one where he buys a soda - but at a price he considers reasonable - combine humour and misery. Note the symbolism of the American flags that tumble from the counter as Douglas goes on his spree of destruction. This is the moment when we know he has crossed the line of sanity and there can only be one outcome. Then there is the loaded episode at the diner where, reminscent of Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces, Douglas is three minutes too late for his required breakfast and makes the observation that he is calling the staff by their first names. Desperate for what he views as the granting of a simple request, he produces an Uzi, or something similar. Throughout scene after scene, as Douglas walks toward catastrophe, we empathise, we smirk, we squirm, always fearful that our humour is misplaced. Robert Duvall, the reluctant nemesis, deserves a mention, but this is a film that belongs to Michael Douglas.

For some reason Michael Douglas has never been accorded due credit in a distinguished career. His performance in this excellent film is hardly a one-off. War of the Roses (I should leave the fish) and Wall Street are two other showpieces of the man's talent.

This is a major work.