Review of Falling Down (1993) by Tyler M — 31 Mar 2012

It's getting back up that's the hard part.

It's like waking up in the middle of a bad day.

The Story: It's simple, a man fed up with society goes on a violent rampage through L.A as he tries to get to his daughter for her birthday. All the while, he's being tracked down by a cop on the verge of retirement. It's filled with dark humor and a long line of implausibility's. As the story progresses you come to realize that it's pretty ridiculous and outlandish, but it's a film that's all about over exaggeration, so it's okay...Or at least a little more forgivable...The biggest problem is a slightly anti-climatic ending. It could have been better, but all the things that happen between the beginning and ending make up for it.

The Cast: Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall... Michael Douglas is William Foster, the man having the bad day. He's good here, there's a solid connection to him as he lives out all the violent fantasies that we all dream up every day...Seriously, everyone knows what it's like to go into a fast food restaurant, and ordering breakfast only to find out that you're two minutes too late (and don't we all just want to beat someone up for that?)...He plays the perfect everyman, beat down by society, and sick of it. Robert Duvall, he's always been kind of a hit or miss actor for me, sometimes I like him and sometimes I don't. Here as the police officer on the verge of retirement, he's pretty good. Not the greatest and a number of other actors could do it, but still, he's pretty good and well cast here. Good performances and relatable characters make this film what it is...A sadistic slice of life.

One to Five Scale: 3.

At first it was a four, but after some serious thought all it really comes down to is a game of cat and mouse...But it's still laugh out loud hilarious (if you like the dark humor), and worth the price of admission should you find it for under six dollars.

Tyler.

01/25/06.