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  • Subject: Falling Down (1993) - Most Prominent Metaphor I've Seen in a Movie
Subject: Falling Down (1993) - Most Prominent Metaphor I've Seen in a Movie

Now, I doubt many of you have seen Falling Down, but if you have, tell me what you think of this metaphor I believe I've found:

Around the middle of the movie, the main character, Bill, is in a na­zi's basement, with the na­zi about to cuff his hands together. The na­zi shoves Bill against a counter, then puts a cuff around one of bills hand. The na­zi asks for Bill's other hand, but that being the only support holding him up, Bill replies:

Bill: "I can't"

Na­zi: "Why not?"

Bill: "Gravity."

Na­zi: "Gravity? What the -blam!- does that mean!"

Bill: "I'll fall down."

And the Na­zi takes Bill's hand and he falls down.
And now I tell you, that hand was the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_hand]Invisible Hand. And if you don't follow the invisible hand, you fall down. And that's just what Bill does. That's why the movie is called "Falling Down"

Bill was previously a rocket designer, and he only sought to help society. He was not concerned about money. And he was fired. Later Bill enters an estate, surrounded by golf courses that he points out should be used for playground and zoos. He asks a caretaker who the house belongs to and he replies "A plastic surgeon." The ones who follow the Invisible Hand and worry only about themselves are the ones who thrive, while Bill, someone who just wanted to help others, falls down.

Now I think that's pretty cool. If you've seen Falling Down, what do you think about my interpretation? Or even about the metaphor?

  • 12.09.2012 4:26 PM PDT

I'm going to invade your heart like a barn swallow high on milk chocolate and grandma love.

Fairness is only possible within the limited powers of man. Elsewhere, there is only chance.

Thus I refute thee.


Posted by: Scatcycle3
Later Bill enters an estate, surrounded by golf courses that he points out should be used for playground and zoos.

I wish.

[Edited on 12.09.2012 4:29 PM PST]

  • 12.09.2012 4:29 PM PDT


Posted by: ElementalRunner

Posted by: Scatcycle3
Later Bill enters an estate, surrounded by golf courses that he points out should be used for playground and zoos.

I wish.

Bill does too, my friend. Bill does too.

  • 12.09.2012 4:49 PM PDT