To what extent does Falling Down represent the “urban reality” of Los Angeles?

To what extent does Falling Down represent the urban reality ' of Los Angeles "Falling Down Joel Schumacher 's 1993 film "Falling Down " provoked controversy in many sectors upon its release . Among those who objected to the film were those who found it overtly racist , as well as those who felt the film composed a thinly veiled political allegory lamenting the loss of white-male global domination . As with any work of art , the urge to identify a specific "moral " or set of ethical assertions for "Falling Down " is as demanding as it is

tempting . The film most certainly deals with racial issues , most notably with the concept of "white rage " or "white anger " and also with issues of social neglect and economic disparity

Central to film 's visual , dramatic , and thematic impact is the depiction of the city of Los Angeles at issue is the question of whether or not Schumacher 's apocalyptic and angst-ridden portrayal of Los Angeles was intended to be a realistic depiction of life and conditions in this city and , if so , whether his attempted realism was successful . To determine the latter it is necessary merely to note Schumacher 's images and scenes and compare them to established data on crimes and with psychological pros of actual vigilantes and serial killers . To determine the former , it necessary to closely inspect not only the structure of the film 's events , but also the film 's plot and character development . It is within these cohesive elements that it is most likely for a viewer or critic to determine whether or not the city of Los Angeles , as depicted in "Falling Down " represents the director 's attempt at a realistic vision

At first glance , the film certainly seems to be attempting a realistic and socially relevant depiction of Los Angeles . The gritty , violent and weapons-ridden city seems to be yanked directly form the news headline of 1993 , many of which were devoted to riots and urban-decay Gun-control and violent crime , always crucial issues in American society , seemed at a crescendo during the era of the film 's creation However , the film is after-all a story and not a documentary , so the viewer may question whether there is anything immediately discernable in the plot which would indicate something other than a naturalistic or realistic approach on behalf of the film 's director . One feature of the plot springs to mind : that it happens to be an inordinately hot day , not just any normal day . In one of the opening scenes there is the line "Anything can happen today "which also sets the film 's events on a unique trajectory , informing the viewer to expect the extraordinary , the unusual

During the film 's initial scenes , the action looks and seems very realistic . There are crowds of poor , drug-addicted minorities and sarcastic cops , noise , pollution , degeneration of property , traffic , and fear . But , like the fact that the day is inordinately hot , Bill Foster 's early confrontation with gang-bangers in a territorial "dispute " evokes...