Unlike Foster, Prendergast plays the role of the official hero. He is an officer of the law, he protects the law, and he uses the legal system as a solution. Prendergast and his partner follow the evidence trail to try and find the anonymous rampaging man (Foster) wearing a white shirt and tie. Prendergast’s personal mission is to bring Foster to justice. He even made a personal sacrifice when he told his wife he would not come home until his work was done. He also put his life on the line when standing up to Foster at the end of the film.
Ray’s article states that the outlaw hero’s motto is “I don’t know what the law says, but I do know what’s right and wrong.” Ray uses Robin Hood as his example, Robin stole from the rich and gave to the poor. That is his way of dealing with injustice. Ray also uses Billy the Kid who murdered the sheriff’s posse because they ambushed his boss. That is his way of dealing with injustice. In Foster’s case, he was fed up with life and could not tolerate being laid off, living with his mother, and having no family. To top it off, having to deal with the unfairness of the world, he just couldn’t take the pressure. In the face of injustice the outlaw hero resorts to violence. The outlaw hero has is own idea of justice. Robin, Billy, and Foster all use uncivilized tactics to try and be what is, in their minds, “right.”
Ray states that the official hero’s motto is “No man can place himself above the law.” Being a cop Prendergast is aware of the rules and regulations of our nation. He follows the rules provided with intent to offer justice to those who don‘t follow the rules. Prendergast lost a daughter, is moving to a place he does not want to go, and is retiring for his wife. But he is not blaming anyone. He is not on a violent rampage destroying people because he is in a bad situation. Prendergast’s tactics with dealing with his issues are civilly and morally “right.”
Ray claims that the outlaw hero is immature and that the official hero is mature. Foster has no patience with anyone who gets in his way. This means, if you get in his way you will end up dead or severely injured. He is very irresponsible especially when dealing with his issues. Leaving his car in the middle of the street, hiding from cops, and caring stolen weapons is not very wise. He doesn’t make wise decisions based on his experiences he has had in life. Prendergast is the mature adult in the film. He makes wise decisions before and after finding Foster. He has shown patients with his wife and with his boss who dislikes him because he does not curse. Prendergast has shown responsibility when dealing with his daughter’s death and with his retirement.
Throughout the film it can be seen that Ray’s claims are supported. There are small incidents where Ray’s claims can be slightly modified. Ray states that the outlaw hero tries to avoid marriage. In Falling Down Foster’s main goal is to have a family and to be with his family. Ray also claims that the Outlaw hero is more attractive. In Falling Down Foster is not attractive he is immoral and dangerous. Ray also included in his article that the job of the official hero is boring and full of entanglements, but Prendergast was led on a challenging chase with rough ups and downs. He starts in the beginning of the film behind a desk but in the end he is in the field.
Falling Down is a great film to compare with Ray’s Paradigm. Ray’s claims can be affirmed by appointing an outlaw hero (Foster) and an official hero (Prendergast). Many of the ideas that Ray states such as responsibility, maturity levels, and the difference between right and wrong are all pointed out in Falling Down. Throughout the film, Ray’s claims were supported. The violence Foster shows under pressure, as well as the calmness Prendergast shows under similar pressures is a great example. Though Ray’s article can be slightly modified by pointing out small details such as marriage and who the most eye-catching character was, he obviously knows what he is talking about.
