Trying to send a message to American movie watchers, scalpel-sharp satire is likely to go past them unnoticed. So, here is a more blunt and direct approach. An attack on the decline of American values made over 30 Years Ago, Falling Down has always had some areas where it comes up short, especially with a few of the supporting performances, but it also hits quite a few targets brilliantly. Starring Michael Douglas – one of his best performances and also his personal favorite – as a frustrated white male who becomes the bull in the china shop, with the same combination of rage and confusion. Chasing him down is the great Robert Duvall, out to make one last meaningful arrest before he retires. It all takes place on the kind of sweaty, hot day Joel Schumacher (A Time To Kill) loves.
The story required extensive us of Los Angeles locations, but production had to reroute the schedule several times because they were filming during the L.A. Riots of April and May of 1992. Some film permits were denied and scenes had to be shot on the Warner Bros lot. While the film’s bluntness has often damaged its reputation, there is one dig so subtle most people never catch it. In one moment, a Detective played by Steve Park is asked to translate for Mr. Lee, played by Michael Paul Chan. Park says he can’t because he’s Japanese and Mr. Lee is Korean. In truth, Park is Korean and Chan is Chinese, but of course most Americans can’t tell the difference.
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