Review of Falling Down (1993) by Jens S — 19 Dec 2011
A man just had enough of it all and starts walking through L.A. picking up increasingly lethal weapons as he encounters disrespect, violence and injustice and reacts accordingly. Like with every vigilante, the law soon starts to take notice in shape of likable cop Robert Duvall and tries to find the man.
The problem is that Michael Douglas' character has the audience on his side each time he beats up a gang member or a Nazi store owner and then immediately loses it again when he starts to creep out his estranged family.
At the same time each encounter with possible hostage tries to make the point that there isn't a bad person at work here. That may be intentionally so, but it makes it all more confusing and harder to care for the man.
Of course the film has a few smart things to say about the human indifference in everyday urban life and the threshold of violence, but the ending turns out a bit too predictable.
This review of Falling Down (1993) was written by Jens S on 19 Dec 2011.
Falling Down has generally received positive reviews.
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