MovieChat Forums > Falling Down (1993) Discussion > Racism?

Racism?

posted 10 years ago by e_k_cinephile
74 replies | jump to latest

It can't be a coincidence that most of the characters that "madden" our man are non-white people. Initially, we see him getting disturbed by the laughter of black girls, then many times he looks at other black people in hatred. The guy at the grocery is a Korean man, who insists on not giving 50 cents. The two guys who try to rob him are Mexicans. And we see Michael Douglad yelling at them like "Learn our language well. Write yur message in our language. You come to my country and blah blah." And the same man, when confronted by the sick ideeas of the bald Nazi guy, says that he does not agree with the Nazi guy's ideas and that he thinks people should have freedom in America. Moreover, in the end, the same guy is showed as an "ordinary man" gradually sickened and destroyed by a sick society. I can't really understand that.

[–] lee-rundle-544-446716 10 years ago

The character is a human being, with all the complexities and contradictions that entails. It's possible for people to abhor Nazi ideals whilst still harbouring prejudices and resentment. Wether it's right or wrong, it's understandable that he could have arrived at those views. When he's accosted by the scum in the park, who happen to be Latino, he sees them as the representation of that kind of incident and not without reason. Many people of that generation see such ethnicities as something that has come into their country and brought with them that street gang culture. They may be criticized for holding those views, but I'm pretty sure they would prefer not to have those views and fears.

[–] aquarianbrass 8 years ago

So you are admitting that the main character is racist? Also, by setting up the protagonist as this sort of white man who opposes immigrants and POC the filmmakers are in fact legitimizing violence and hate towards POC.

[–] aquarianbrass 8 years ago

The immigrants who brought street gang culture with them were the Irish and Italians. They started the whole ball rolling.

[–] Theshornwonder 8 years ago

Racist

[–] lee-rundle-544-446716 10 years ago

To me, this character is quite close to Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. Travis was a racist (his creator insisted so), which to me makes the character more interesting, and raises more questions, because despite this, they still have many traits so many of us can identify with.

[–] spookyrat1 10 years ago

His victims clearly were not all non-whites, but I think his "breakdown" was designed to highlight some long suppressed negative aspects of his personality. Whilst he does seem to express disgust for the surplus store owner's racism, the episode with the Korean shopkeeper rather obviously reflects his xenophobia about minorities "taking over" the country.🐭

[–] CaptainViggo 10 years ago

It can't be a coincidence that most of the characters that "madden" our man are non-white people.

Wrong. There are a lot of white men in those characters: the nazi, the park bum, the Whammyburger employees, the road construction site worker, the old rich golf players (who are clearly an echo to the two hispanic guys seen earlier, both couples of guys denying Bill the right to step on their territories and try to harm/kill him). Michael Douglas' character is irritated by pretty much everything and everyone during his journey across the town, visiting all sorts of neighborhoods, why only point out the non-white people?

You're also forgetting non-white people who don't bother him at all, and even have positive or at least non-aggressive interaction with him. There is the "Not economically viable" man who seems to get the interest and respect of D-Fens. And there's also the kid that help him use the bazooka, whom D-Fens is even pushing back to protect him while the rocket has gone loose.

[–] LV426 10 years ago

What about the white people at the burger place? The white guy at the phone booth? The white guy begging in the park? The white military vendor? I guess those people don't matter?

[–] lmtopeka 10 years ago

So white people who defend themselves from minorities who are trying to rob and beat them are now racist? Being annoyed by kids being annoying idiots is racist? I guess white people can't show any kind negative feeling towards the individual actions of a member of any non-caucasian race without being a racist. Seems like a hard standard to live up to for white guys. If a black man tries to kill me and I resist that makes me a racist to the OP I guess or if someone annoys me that isn't white than I automatically must hate that racist according to the simplistic mind of the person who wants to see racism every where they look. It's a movie and he hates everyone and it's not because of his race but because he hates the society we have become.

[–] twofacetoo 10 years ago

I don't actually agree here.
Yeah, a Korean guy gets him angry at first, then the Mexican gang shows up, and he makes that whole 'learn our language' speech thing. I grant you that.
But in comparison, what about the Burger scene? Or the golf course? Or when he sympathises with the staff of some rich twat's mansion?
I highly doubt this film or this character is 100% racist, after all he is just filled with rage all the time.

[–] blackurbanprince 10 years ago

It's no way his character is racist. He seems to totally be disgusted by the White supremacist Military Surplus owner and what about when he goes at the rich white golfer who almost hit him with the ball.

[–] sonoftom 9 years ago

I guess that bit fell on deaf ears or should I say blind eyes

[–] aquarianbrass 8 years ago

That doesn't mean he isn't racist. It just means he doesn't like Nazi's. And the question isn't whether the character is racists, it's whether the movie promotes racism.

[–] Theshornwonder 8 years ago

The answer is no.

[–] Nemesis42 10 years ago

The movie does not promote racism.