Essay Comparing Falling Down And Birdman

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The films Falling Down by Joel Schumacher and Birdman by Alejandro González Iñárritu when analysed show many similarities in their character personalities but have different strategies of development. When analysed further both show a strong resemblance in how the director portrays his purpose and meaning using different techniques and symbols. Falling Down follows main character Bill Foster ‘D-fens’ as he tries to find his way home after losing his job to fix his abusive relationship with his wife and daughter. Birdman follows main character Riggan Thomson who is mounting a broadway production in hopes to breath new life into his stagnant career and prove he is a real artist and not just a celebrity. All while he deals with his girlfriend, …show more content…

In Falling Down the symbols are quite noticeable from the first scene onwards. Each close up view in the first scene have a stronger meaning behind them than first observed. An example of this is the bumper sticker “How am I driving? Call 1-800- EAT SHIT” representing the attitude of society. Throughout the film the American rights of freedom and patriotism show up repeatedly in purposely placed flags. This along with christ and religion which is alluded to by crosses and churches in the background of many scenes. This represents D-fens believing he is sacrificing himself for the good of other people trying to take back their civil rights. The Birdman is purposely likened to Icarus from Greek Mythology. Icarus was given a pair of wax wings by his father Daedalus to escape the imprisonment of his father’s invention and was warned if he flew too close to the sun they would melt. Icarus was ecstatic with his new wings and forgot his father's warning and the wings became loose and Icarus plummeted to his death. When Riggan is in his own reality flying we see what appears to look like a meteor falling from the sky. This represents the story of Icarus and compares the son of Daedalus to Riggan. Though not always noticed everything the directors do in both of these films have stronger meanings and are a part of developing the character and plot

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