Monday marks 25 years since the release of “Falling Down,” which found unemployed defense engineer D-Fens (Michael Douglas), destabilized by the dissolution of his family and the growing frustrations presented by modern society, tearing an increasingly weaponized, increasingly violent path through the streets of Los Angeles. A quarter of a century later, with armed gunmen turning mass shootings into increasingly commonplace occurrences, and gun violence at the forefront of the national conversation, the film seems more pertinent than ever. As “Falling Down” turns 25, TheWrap spoke with the film’s screenwriter, Ebbe Roe Smith, about the circumstances surrounding the making of the...
- 2/26/2018
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
What better way to celebrate Oscar night than to post about a movie that should have received a bunch of Academy Award nominations and didn’t get a single one. Yes, 1993 was a great year for film, but Joel Schumacher‘s Falling Down had one of the finest performances each from Michael Douglas and Robert Duvall and an exceptional, memorable script from actor Ebbe Roe Smith. It’s a shame this Los Angeles odyssey, which turns 20 years old this Tuesday, wasn’t honored enough then and certainly isn’t talked about enough today. It’s a cinematic rant that would never be released by a major Hollywood studio now (though an indie like Magnolia might, a la God Bless America), and it features an antihero lead with an image that few stars would pull off ever (Douglas’s crew cut was ridiculed enough in the press then — I can only imagine the field day the blogosphere would...
- 2/24/2013
- by Christopher Campbell
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Contemporary cinema is frequently noted for being a hotbed of liberalism, which of course occasionally veers into overt political correctness, owing to shoehorned “token” characters and what not. However, you needn’t travel far back in time to see how different things have been in the past, with the political spectrum swinging almost entirely the other way, indulging in either spiteful or thoroughly ridiculous racial stereotypes which serve to humiliate the sub-set they are depicting. It’s disturbing how some of them have managed to unfurl themselves in popular, even good films, as you’re about to see. A lot of them, of course, are complete tripe (as you’re also about to see).
10. Falling Down
While there’s little questioning that Falling Down is an excellent film – though perhaps in light of this topic, that says more about us – and arguably Joel Schumacher’s best, that doesn’t acquit...
10. Falling Down
While there’s little questioning that Falling Down is an excellent film – though perhaps in light of this topic, that says more about us – and arguably Joel Schumacher’s best, that doesn’t acquit...
- 10/31/2012
- by Shaun Munro
- Obsessed with Film
Forgotten Classics is a recurring feature, a look back and reflection on great motion pictures that often slip under the radar and become under-appreciated, ignored relics of a previous era or simply damned by lack of face time in the spotlight.
Falling Down
Directed by Joel Schumacher
Screenplay by Ebbe Roe Smith
1993 – USA
A little over two weeks since its release, The Dark Knight Rises continues to coast its way towards staggering gross numbers and increased critical acclaim. As a trilogy, Christopher Nolan’s Batman ‘reboot’, a concept which has since become a common trend, has not only raked in the cash and earned a huge following, but has also undoubtedly redeemed the Caped Crusader’s image and film status, representing ‘mission accomplished’ for the Director. After all, his remit when taking on Batman Begins in 2005 mostly comprised of wiping out the ghastly memory that was Batman and Robin.
The...
Falling Down
Directed by Joel Schumacher
Screenplay by Ebbe Roe Smith
1993 – USA
A little over two weeks since its release, The Dark Knight Rises continues to coast its way towards staggering gross numbers and increased critical acclaim. As a trilogy, Christopher Nolan’s Batman ‘reboot’, a concept which has since become a common trend, has not only raked in the cash and earned a huge following, but has also undoubtedly redeemed the Caped Crusader’s image and film status, representing ‘mission accomplished’ for the Director. After all, his remit when taking on Batman Begins in 2005 mostly comprised of wiping out the ghastly memory that was Batman and Robin.
The...
- 8/5/2012
- by Scott Patterson
- SoundOnSight
Has our look back at the work of Joel Schumacher arrived at his finest film? Carley revisits Falling Down...
"You think I'm a thief? Oh, you see, I'm not the thief. I'm not the one charging 85 cents for a *stinking* soda! You're the thief. I'm just standing up for my rights as a consumer." - William
The Recap
After tackling the weepy genre with the angst filled Dying Young, Schumacher took a very sharp turn in his next project which crafted together anger, violence and unhappiness on a very hot day in Los Angeles.
William Foster (Michael Douglas) is not having the best of times. Going through a messy divorce, his wife Beth (Barbara Hershey) has a restraining order against him, making him unable to see her or his daughter Adele (Joey Hope Singer). He has also just lost his job.
Sitting in a traffic jam on the Los Angeles...
"You think I'm a thief? Oh, you see, I'm not the thief. I'm not the one charging 85 cents for a *stinking* soda! You're the thief. I'm just standing up for my rights as a consumer." - William
The Recap
After tackling the weepy genre with the angst filled Dying Young, Schumacher took a very sharp turn in his next project which crafted together anger, violence and unhappiness on a very hot day in Los Angeles.
William Foster (Michael Douglas) is not having the best of times. Going through a messy divorce, his wife Beth (Barbara Hershey) has a restraining order against him, making him unable to see her or his daughter Adele (Joey Hope Singer). He has also just lost his job.
Sitting in a traffic jam on the Los Angeles...
- 3/31/2010
- Den of Geek
Has our look back at the work of Joel Schumacher arrived at his finest film? Carley revisits Falling Down...
"You think I'm a thief? Oh, you see, I'm not the thief. I'm not the one charging 85 cents for a *stinking* soda! You're the thief. I'm just standing up for my rights as a consumer." - William
The Recap
After tackling the weepy genre with the angst filled Dying Young, Schumacher took a very sharp turn in his next project which crafted together anger, violence and unhappiness on a very hot day in Los Angeles.
William Foster (Michael Douglas) is not having the best of times. Going through a messy divorce, his wife Beth (Barbara Hershey) has a restraining order against him, making him unable to see her or his daughter Adele (Joey Hope Singer). He has also just lost his job.
Sitting in a traffic jam on the Los Angeles...
"You think I'm a thief? Oh, you see, I'm not the thief. I'm not the one charging 85 cents for a *stinking* soda! You're the thief. I'm just standing up for my rights as a consumer." - William
The Recap
After tackling the weepy genre with the angst filled Dying Young, Schumacher took a very sharp turn in his next project which crafted together anger, violence and unhappiness on a very hot day in Los Angeles.
William Foster (Michael Douglas) is not having the best of times. Going through a messy divorce, his wife Beth (Barbara Hershey) has a restraining order against him, making him unable to see her or his daughter Adele (Joey Hope Singer). He has also just lost his job.
Sitting in a traffic jam on the Los Angeles...
- 3/31/2010
- Den of Geek
Somewhat lazily dismissed at the time of its release as merely a “white collar Taxi Driver” this taut, tidy, intelligent thriller has stood the test of time and slowly ascended to something approaching cult status. It’s a career best performance for Michael Douglas, whose career has largely defined itself through unflattering turns in risky projects. Wall Street might be more showy and Fatal Attraction more accessible, but it’s the jaw-clenching resentment and white knuckle intensity of this ordinary man pushed past the brink that stands as Douglas’ finest hour. It’s also by far and away Joel Schumacher’s best film; also, it's further testament to the performance of his leading man and Ebbe Roe Smith’s layered script that a director who can, in all honesty, fuck up a cup of coffee could deliver such a complex and compelling picture.
It’s 1993, and the Cold War has ended.
It’s 1993, and the Cold War has ended.
- 5/28/2009
- by Neil Pedley
- JustPressPlay.net
I had never seen Falling Down so when it was offered up for review I jumped at the opportunity having heard enough good things about it to attract my interest. Starring Michael Douglas and directed by Joel Schumacher, the film is a bit scattered at times and relies heavily on the audience giving in to the premise and ignoring the fact the entire film is a random series of extreme coincidences. It walks the line between serious and satire and at one point even dabbles in loony, but overall it's a good watch even if I wouldn't recommend you run out and buy it blind without at least seeing it once. The film begins on the baking streets of Los Angeles and Schumacher does a fantastic job of representing a hot and claustrophobic atmosphere. Stuck in traffic, this is where we first meet William Foster (Michael Douglas) as his skin is crawling with impatience,...
- 5/26/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
While Joel Schumacher’s 90s filmography will always be remembered for the atrocities that were Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, it’s during this decade that he churned out one of his best films – Falling Down. A deluxe edition for the Michael Douglas drama is now on the way and will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray May 26. Written by Ebbe Roe Smith, the film followed an unemployed defense worker who, frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society, begin to psychotically and violently lash out. Robert Duvall also starred and the film was nominated for the Golden Palm at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival. Watch the trailer here. According to the good folks over at DVD Active, extras will include an audio commentary by Douglas and Schumacher, a Deconstructing D-Fens: A Conversation with Michael Douglas featurette, and the theatrical trailer. The Blu-ray release will also include an additional...
- 1/29/2009
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
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