Falling Down (1993)

X An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / July 28, 2007

"Falling Down" ranks among my top 25, all-time favorite films. I have seen it many times, and it never gets old. "Falling Down" is a must-see.

This movie is a drama that initially plays like a comedy. The key to a successful movie is one where we, the audience, can relate to the characters. Even though Michael Douglas plays a man who's lost his mind, I suspect that most people can relate to his frustrations.

Bill Foster (Michael Douglas) has "had it up to here" with his life and its myriad frustrations. One day he snaps and decides to "go home." Unfortunately, he is divorced and unwelcome at his daughter's birthday party.

No matter. Foster abandons his car in a traffic jam and begins walking across town to see his daughter and ex-wife. And he doesn't let anything (or anybody) get in his way.

There is a concept called "the Ideological Safety Valve." It is often used to defend violent filmmaking. The theory is, that we enjoy violent movies where we can watch characters participate in violent acts that we secretly would like to do ourselves. But since we vicariously watch them in movies, then we don't have to do those things in real life … hence, the safety valve.

I don't know if that is really true; perhaps it's the other way around, meaning people see violence then mimic it. But I've also felt like I was "falling down" (more than once) while trying to order at fast-food restaurants.

Directed by Joel Schumacher
Michael Douglas / Robert Duvall / Barbara Hershey
113 min. Drama / Comedy
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 13 and up

DVD release date: October 26, 1999
Copyright 2007.
JP0152 : 250