Scene Analysis: Falling Down

“I don’t want lunch. I want breakfast.” Such a simple line delivered with such power. In Falling Down (1993), Michael Douglas plays William Foster. A straight edge office worker fed up with modern life. This is an example of the scene in which Foster is faced with the perceived absurdity of modern society. Foster wants a fast food breakfast at about 11:35. The manager informs him that their policy is to stop serving breakfast at 11:30. Foster carries out a fantasy that many have dreamed of. Being able to tell people cut the corporate bull shit and just give me a god damned sandwich. I am not condoning pulling a gun on anyone please do not report me and make it so I cannot graduate. I am just trying to review a scene. Back to Foster. Michael Douglas captures the pure chaotic energy of the laid off, divorced office drone of the 1990’s. What does he have left to lose? He lost his family and his job. He just wants to get to his daughter’s birthday party, but first he needs something to eat. Foster feels empowered by his newly acquired arsenal and the power has clearly gone to his head. On any other day he would have apologized and ordered off the lunch ,menu. Not today, he was in charge. He is not used to this, however. He shows it by accidentally firing off shits scaring the life out of the customers in the restaurant. This captures both the rage and the vulnerability of the character. The filmmakers put Foster in a relatable situation and made the characters act in a believable way. It is not some thriller or action event, it is the minutia of daily life. William Foster wants a fast food breakfast. Corporate policy says no. The manager needs to follow protocol if he wants to keep his middle management position. Thus this small scene speaks on commercialism and corporate life at large. The man and woman behind the counter have nothing to gain from withholding a burger but the faceless corporation demands no. What I could gain from this scene for my own film making is believable dialogue and having the characters act like normal people rather than characters in a scene. There can be beauty in the normal as well as exaggerated and theatrical. This movie is a favorite of mine, and this is for sure my favorite scene. Cheers!