Hardcore
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Dick Sargent, George C. Scott, Leonard Gaines, Peter Boyle, Season HubleyBrand: Sony
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Japanese (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1
Running Time: 109 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-14
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Hardcore
Movie Review: Hardcore religion v.s. hardcore hedonism
Summary: 5 Stars
Paul Schader's "Hardcore" (1979) stars George C. Scott as Jake VanDorn, a rigid Calvinist who goes to Southern California to search for his 15 year-old daughter who disappeared during a church youth convention in Disneyland. A hired p.i. (Peter Boyle) finds his daughter on a cheap porn flick so Jake eventually masquerades as a porn producer to find her. Ultimately a young, lost prostitute, Niki (Season Hubley), assists him and they develop an almost father/daughter relationship.
Since "Hardcore" deals heavily with the sex industry of the late 70s it's obvious that the film isn't for everyone, but if you can handle it this is a nigh work of genius. Part drama, part thriller, with a bit o' black humor thrown in for good measure, "Hardcore" is simply fascinating.
As another reviewer so perfectly notes, "Hardcore" explores the dichotomy and similarities of people who live 'hardcore.' Jake's Dutch Calvinist religious faith is so hardcore and rigidly structured that he can explain it in-depth with an acronym (TULIP), whereas the sex industry of S. California is hardcore in a ultra-hedonistic manner. The lifestyles couldn't be more different and yet there are similarities. Niki points out to Jake that they aren't so different -- he feels so little about sex that he doesn't even do it, while she cares so little about sex that she doesn't care who she does it with.
This is a smart film that doesn't spell everything out, but if you watch it closely details emerge. For instance, why did Jake's daughter fly the coop? Why did his wife divorce him? It becomes clear that the VanDorn household was overly rigid and sterile; there was little life, joy, and love, which are intrinsic Christian qualities. The most toxic poison was Jake's hardcore pride, which he weepingly repents of in one potent scene.
But this isn't an anti-Christian film, although it shows the obvious flaws of Jake and his denomination's religosity, Jake clearly plays the deliverer and the sex industry is portrayed as the ugly, deceitful mire it is. This is one of the few mainstream modern films where the protagonist's Christian faith is overtly depicted. The film doesn't shy away from exploring Jake's faith -- and testing it. There's even a prolonged scene where Jake explains the Calvinist credo to Niki. How many Hollywood films allow a character to spend five minutes elaborating on theological niceties? This alone distinguishes the picture.
Despite Jake's serious pride issues and the sterility of his household, his Calvinism comes off better than the hedonism of late 70's L.A. Jake is on a crusade into the land of infidels and is admirable in that he puts himself in harm's way to find his daughter, and he never succumbs in a land of a thousand temptations. If the Midwesterners are depicted as stern and brittle, at least they are better off than the hedonists of S. California, and the sex industry is a slippery slope that leads to dissatisfaction, addiction and death.
Some complain that it's not believable that Jake's daughter would take such a radical turn toward the sex industry, but let's keep in mind that it's easy for a naive, inexperienced girl to get swept up into something she can't control. And for every bad thing that happens to her throughout the five months, one thing remains steady is that it's her father's fault. At least from her point of view. "Drama..." the hallmark of every teenaged girl. Also, don't think that she chose the new life knowing everything up front. It's a slow spiral into hell. The first few steps are exciting and the rest are horrible but tolerable. As you decend, the cumulative effect is balanced by the hardness one gains. You aren't 'hardcore' the moment you step off the bus, so to speak.
The first hour starts to get rather tedious with Jake's intro to the sex industry and ensuing search for his daughter but, take heart, the story picks up in the second half with the introduction of Niki. Her relationship with Jake, I believe, is the heart of the picture. We meet this totally lost and humble prostitute and we (and Jake) inexplicably come to like her. She was a runaway of sorts who started turning tricks in Vegas at the young age of 15. Can she be blamed for the hideous hole life has thrust her? (In a way, yes, but that's another subject; let's have some compassion here!). She acts hip but at the same time is desperately seeking a savior. Jake merely hires her to help in his search and unexpectedly finds himself getting close to her, enjoying her company, and vice versa. Jake isn't in any way, shape or form an evangelist but he finds that he can open up and freely discuss his Christian beliefs with Niki, and she's just as free and comfortable to discuss her beliefs (she's a Venusian, whatever that is -- lol!). "Hardcore" is so incredible and original because these characters are real and they really talk. What's more, although Niki is a pathetic, lost prostitute she has amazing insight into things. For instance, although Jake informs her that his wife died, she "guesses" that she actually divorced him and also discerns why she left. Yet, she's not arrogant about her insights; she's obvioiusly highly gifted and yet wasting her life away in the sex industry.
Some complain about the ending but I think it works fine; it's happy in one way but downbeat in another. Regardless, it rings of authenticity (disregarding the contrived Ratan theatrics, that is). I won't discuss it here because I don't want to spoil the end for those who haven't seen the film, but I will say that, in a better world, Jake would have done something that he fails to do.
I was in Las Vegas recently and came across a prostitute like Niki (albeit not as anorexic). She was very young and therefore still beautiful; she looked at me with eyes of feigned desire, likely to pick up some business. In the film these girls are written off as "a dime a dozen." I guess no one cares about such people.
I do.
Summary of Hardcore
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