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Falling Down

Play trailer Poster for Falling Down R Released Feb 26, 1993 1h 55m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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75% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
A middle-aged man dealing with both unemployment and divorce, William Foster (Michael Douglas) is having a bad day. When his car breaks down on a Los Angeles highway, he leaves his vehicle and begins a trek across the city to attend his daughter's birthday party. As he makes his way through the urban landscape, William's frustration and bitterness become more evident, resulting in violent encounters with various people, including a vengeful gang and a dutiful veteran cop (Robert Duvall).
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Falling Down

Falling Down

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Critics Consensus

Falling Down's popcorn-friendly take on its complex themes proves disquieting -- and ultimately fitting for a bleakly entertaining picture of one man's angry break with reality.

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Critics Reviews

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Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle A brilliant drama with black-comic undertones. The film is directed by Joel Schumacher and stars Michael Douglas, in what may be the best performance of his career, Rated: 4/4 Jan 11, 2023 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader None of the characters ever rises beyond the level of his or her generic functions, and by the end the overall emptiness of the conception becomes fully apparent. Jul 18, 2011 Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Let's face it, there is an element of truth in the character of D-FENS. But it is, finally, tabloid truth. Jul 18, 2011 Full Review Bianca Garner Filmotomy Its technical aspects along with Douglas’ performance are praise worthy. There is so much to admire from a screenwriting perspective as it pulls you instantly into this world... Oct 10, 2024 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Falling Down," a stellar film, is Joel Schumacher's miracle. Rated: 4.0/4.0 Sep 7, 2020 Full Review Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media Disturbing '90s crime thriller has violence and language. Rated: 2/5 Jul 17, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member really nice movie but the ending was sad Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/06/25 Full Review Audience Member “Now here is a man who would not take it anymore.” That line from Taxi Driver sums this movie up perfectly. Falling Down is basically what happened to De-Fens mental state, interaction after interaction we get more and more of his outburst. He spent so much time conforming to everyone else, others open act of defiance push him over the edge. I think that hill scene has got to be one of the best scenes in the movie. It illustrates his character more and more, when we finally see his room, it doesn’t show the characteristics of a psychopath. His rationality makes him not only entertaining, but very interesting. 5/5 stars. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/25/25 Full Review Brad S. R A morally confused satire with off-puttingly over-the-top execution. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/24/25 Full Review Cecilia S brilliant film, story, and performances Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/10/25 Full Review Darius M This movie wins at pretty much everything, from creating a compelling and relatable protagonist to its expert use of dry humor. The surplus store scene I could maybe do without but nothing is perfect. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/25 Full Review Daniel C. M Thrilling, amazing and relatable story about a man who has had enough. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Falling Down

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Cast & Crew

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Joel Schumacher

Director

Michael Douglas

William Foster

Robert Duvall

Prendergast

Barbara Hershey

Beth

Rachel Ticotin

Detective Sandra

Tuesday Weld

Amanda Prendergast

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Movie Info

Synopsis A middle-aged man dealing with both unemployment and divorce, William Foster (Michael Douglas) is having a bad day. When his car breaks down on a Los Angeles highway, he leaves his vehicle and begins a trek across the city to attend his daughter's birthday party. As he makes his way through the urban landscape, William's frustration and bitterness become more evident, resulting in violent encounters with various people, including a vengeful gang and a dutiful veteran cop (Robert Duvall).
Director
Joel Schumacher
Producer
Timothy Hyde Harris, Arnold Kopelson, Herschel Weingrod
Screenwriter
Ebbe Roe Smith
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Regency Enterprises, Warner Bros., Le Studio Canal +, Alcor Films
Rating
R
Genre
Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 26, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$40.4M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR
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