Hard Times
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Movie Reviews of Hard Times
Movie Review: Esthetically perfect action film
Summary: 4 Stars
Walter Hill's 1975 directorial debut "Hard Times" is about as predictable as a "Lone Ranger" radio serial. It's also one of the most esthetically perfect action films you are ever going to see. I'm not sure if there is a single original idea or thought in this Depression era bare-knuckled boxing tale, but it is blessed with a style and verve that raises its level of respectability several notches.
The New Orleans' locale is magnificently used, with detours to Cajun cookouts, strolls through Louisiana graveyards and conversations on French Quarter balconies adding memorable spice to the dramatic gumbo. The trio of stars, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Strother Martin, a bit past their prime, but as comfortable as a worn leather jacket, are perfectly suited as men scarred by the hard knocks of life.
Bronson especially, is given one of the finest roles of his twilight career. He's a man of few words, riding the rails looking to make a buck in bare knuckle fighting. We never really know his past, with his screen persona filling in the gaps. That's a fault. And yet like a ghost, he silently moves in and out of the shadows of New Orleans creating a fiercely independent character we would want on our side. Coburn, as usual, is terrific as the conman who bankrolls Bronson. He's a fast talker, eventually too fast for his own good. Martin, one of the finest character actors in history, is nothing short of brilliant as the cut man struggling with the dark addictions of life. These three characters are going nowhere, but for a brief moment as a team, they buck a corrupt and brutal system.
The fight scenes themselves are nicely choreographed, but what one remembers from "Hard Times" are the quieter moments - Bronson having a cup of coffee in a diner with Jill Ireland, Coburn smoking a cigarette in bed with a prostitute, Martin sitting in a church listening to gospel singers. These characters are weary and tired, and the Depression has left them hopeless and forgotten.
There is really no surprise as to this film's ending. Yet in many ways it is poetically perfect as Bronson, having saved the day, disappears back into the shadows never to return. This is a street legend as old as the hills. We watch the recent film "Sea Biscuit" and roll our eyes at its excess. We watch "Hard Times" and understand this tale at heart, is a simple yet inspirational one. Rarely has the legend been more perfectly executed on film.
Movie Review: Vastly underrated movie with Bronson and Coburn
Summary: 4 Stars
Hard Times is a great movie that for whatever reason has never got as much attention as other Charles Bronson and James Coburn movies. The movie tells the story of a strong, silent street figther, Chaney, who travels to New Orleans in 1933 during the midst of the Great Depression to make some money doing what he does best, "knocking people down." Chaney teams up with boxing promoter and street hustler Speed Weed. Immediately, Chaney destroys anyone he goes up against. As Chaney's reputation continues to rise, Speed has money problems that begin to cause more problems than Chaney ever anticipated. The street fights in this movie are brutal, vicious, knock down fights that are beautiful and horrifying at the same time. Unlike many action movies, Hard Times does not rely solely on the action. There is a well-told story with characters that we come to care and learn a lot about by the end of the movie. Just a great movie overall.
Charles Bronson gives an excellent performance as Chaney, the strong, silent street fighter trying to make a buck. Roles like this show Bronson's acting ability and that he wasn't just a tough guy, although he more than holds his own in this movie. James Coburn is equally as good as Spencer "Speed" Weed, Chaney's promoter who always has trouble holding onto money. Bronson's real-life wife Jill Ireland plays Lucy, Chaney's girlfriend who is looking for security in her life. In a smaller role, Strother Martin plays Poe, an opium-addicted medic working with Chaney and Speed. The movie also stars Michael McGuire as big-time gambler and heavy Chick Gandil, Felice Orlandi, Edward Walsh, Margaret Blye, Bruce Glover, Robert Tessier, and Nick Dimitri. The DVD offers widescreen and fullscreen presentations, and trailers from Hard Times and The Stone Killer, another Bronson movie. For an excellent movie with great performances from Bronson and Coburn with a well-told story and plenty of action, check out Hard Times!
Movie Review: Repeat viewability, good reason to add to your collection!
Summary: 4 Stars
No this is hardly a genuine classic film. The performances are decent, but nothing special. Still, this is one of those films; you just want to see again. Charles Bronson plays a drifter, down on his luck with one marketable talent. He's a great bare-knuckle fighter who needs to earn a few bucks to live on for a while. Nothing is ever explained who he really is, or how he became such a good fighter. His explanation to his new found promoter (played with some flair by James Coburn) is that fighting is something he's doing just for a while.So why is this something you'd want to see again. Actually, it's the fighting. Rarely has anyone filmed a movie with more innovative fist fighting styles. I'm guessing that a lot of the actual punches thrown, would not be practical in any real fight, still they look great on film. Each of the main fights has its own array of tactics that make in interesting. The best of which, is the second before last fight, which boasts some interesting, overhead camera work.
I'm guessing this movie obtained in character, what Patrick Swayze, was trying to accomplish in Road House. A woman he meets treats Bronson as a shiftless drifter. After a brief attempt to get to know her, she dumps him when she finds a man with a steady job. He then shows himself to have some real character, (at least to himself and the audience) by putting it all on the line. Instead of leaving town, he decides to help his new promoter, who's gotten in trouble with the load sharks. This gives the movie an ending, and even somewhat of a purpose outside of the great fistfights.
The DVD looks to be a little thin on extras', which is too bad; I'd love to know more about how they staged those fight scenes. A film this old that has not quite made the bargain bins in price, means the demand is still hot. It usually means it's worth adding to your personal collection for repeat viewings.
Movie Review: Best Bronson in Hard Times
Summary: 4 Stars
"Hard Times" stars Charles Bronson as Chaney a down and out bare knuckle boxer trying to get by in the middle of the depression. James Coburn as Speed is the quick talking not entirely trustworthy promoter who represents Chaney in fights through out the South and Midwest. "Hard Times" is the directorial debut of Walter Hill who shows off a certain realism that would become his trademark in future works. Still, it is Bronson who is the center of this film. Perfectly cast as the aged fighter this is perhaps Bronson at his absolute best. Bronson displays a subtle complexity that is particularly effective in the love affair with Lucy played by real life wife Jill Ireland. Bronson, who was about 54 at the time of filming, is remarkably fit and completely believable even when the odds are stacked against him. The story is taught and directed in a crisp fashion by Hill. The cast is good as an ensemble lifting this underrated feature to the level of very good. Yet, it is Bronson and that one of a kind face that makes "Hard Times" a true classic of the genre.Movie Review: A cult gem
Summary: 4 Stars
"Hard Times" is a terrific looking movie that is also pretty terrific in a low key way. Certainly the best of Bronson's starring vehicles, Hard Times features some solid supporting work by old pros James Coburn and Strother Martin. The film is set (and was mainly shot) in New Orleans and I can attest (being from New Orleans myself) that most of the art direction is in fact no art direction at all but real places and settings that need little or no art direction to give them authenticity. (NOTE: I don't recall even seeing a credit for an "art director" in the opening credits).
This is not coincedental since the city itself is a supporting character. This film has what many of today's film lack: flavor. Flavor in the script, in the cast, in the locale (with non stereotypical southerners), and in the atmosphere.
The DVD version is beautifully preserved and crisp looking for a movie that's 25 years old. Definitely worth collecting.