A couple of movies I've seen

Two wildly differing classics in my book: Falling Down, and It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!

It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!
There isn't much to say about this that hasn't already been said. Any 1970s film which can mock the increasingly early Christmas season (Only 246 days til XMAS), work in themes from at least two of Beethoven's symphonies (7th, 2nd movement, and 6th), and a familiar baroque piece (Bach?) is a work of art. If that isn't enough to entice you, seeing how Woodstock decorates his new birdhouse is worth the price of rental. On the downside, it's only 25 minutes long. :-(

Falling Down
What most people seem to remember about this film is the scene where the "protagonist", if one may call him such,

• gets a fast food restaurant manager's attention by pulling out a submachine gun;
• points the same gun at the customers while urging them to eat their food and enjoy it;
• then pays for his meal and leaves.

As you can guess, this guy isn't entirely right in his head; the not-too-subtle message is that modern society has done this to him.

You might conclude that this is a senseless shoot-em-up, but it isn't. There's some reflection; if possible, the film is both critical of genuine problems in modern society, and optimistic about the future. Its theme is similar to the above film's Only 246 days til XMAS message, but with a harder edge. Consider the following exchange that takes place on a pier where the fish were poisoned by industrial pollution:

D-FENS: They lied to me. I did everything they asked me to. Did you know I helped design missiles, to protect us from the Communists? You'd think they'd reward you for that, but no, they give it to the plastic surgeon instead.

Police Detective: What, that's what this is about? This is why my chicken dinner is getting cold? Because you got lied to? That doesn't give you the right to do what you did today. They lie to everyone. They lied to the fish.

The protagonist's character is developed very well through his mother and ex-wife, whose descriptions suggest a previously unrealized disposition towards violence. His mother admits to living in terror even of entering his room; he has never threatened her, either verbally or physically, but he gets a look in his eyes... His ex-wife gives a similar description; she obtained a restraining order not because he actually struck her, or even because he threatened her in any way. Instead, he gave her a vibe that suggested he would get violent one day. Some homemade videos also hint at this offscreen, near the end of the film.

I vaguely (and perhaps incorrectly) recall that when the film came out, some denounced it as racist. I honestly can't imagine why. There are too many reasons to list, but, for example, a well-dressed African-American is clearly made out to have been betrayed in the same way as the protagonist. He protests in front of a bank, "They say I'm not economically viable!" This exclamation later ends up on the protagonist's lips. Imdb movie trivia indicates that the protagonist and the African-American were even dressed in identical clothing, down to the tie pattern. If that doesn't suggest a parallel, I can't imagine what would. On the other hand, a racist, anti-homosexual, militant Nazi nostalgic is clearly condemned in no uncertain terms.

Often the film's message is obvious and overbearing, and it contains a few one-liners that appear to be meant as "guilty pleasures": things you'd really like to say to people, but never would. On the other hand, many parts of it are hidden and subtle, such as the hints that explain why the main character is falling down. It's worth a look and a thought, even if you eventually conclude that it's repugnant.