Backtracking to 'Falling Down'

[Goater]

Occured to me yesterday. The message of 'Falling Down' seemed to be that Nazi sympathisers, cheap, tacky burger bars, upper class golf clubs or any kind of upper class club etc etc was a tip of the iceberg as far as what's wrong with the US and here for that matter. Just wondered why near the films climax the point is clearly and vocally made that the Michael Douglas character is the 'bad guy'. Ok, he kills people but this has to occur for the film to work but how many of the people who watched that film could say that they were not on his side and didn't identify with every circumstance he argued against? Just found it odd that the films 'message' seemed to be thrown away in the end. Studio pressure? Maybe

[steve56]

when i saw it for the 1st time ithough rob duvall was gonna get shot in the end cos it seemed to be to good to be true he was retiring last day on the job etc.

[Caractacus]

The Douglas character had had enough, and it had driven him over the edge. The cop played by Duvall undoubtedly sympathised, and I'm sure most of us have thought about doing some of the stuff DFENS does. The difference is we know it's wrong to do so. Taking life is not something you can condone unless in very extreme circumstances. Yes, I cheered at the bloody end of Taxi Driver, and the Russian roulette scene in The Deer Hunter (when De Niro shoots the Viet Cong tormentor), but felt awkward and guilty about it afterwards. Films can make you feel the emotional pull that the characters do, but we can't be Harry Callaghans going round and being judge, jury and executioner according to what we think is right.

And yes, this is from the same guy who has posted about crocodiles being introduced to reality TV shows. But I know the difference between imagination and reality.

[steve56]

p.s.i see a young rob duvall in 2 episodes of the fugitive,now why dont they reshow it it was great,also the invaders.