Harsh Times (2005)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

David Ayer

Writer (WGA):

David Ayer (written by)

Release Date:

10 November 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

A tough-minded drama about two friends in South Central Los Angeles and the violence that comes between them.

Plot Keywords:

Marijuana | Mexico | Lawyer | Unemployment | Murder

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Christian Bale	...	Jim Luther Davis
Freddy Rodríguez	...	Mike Alonzo
Eva Longoria Parker	...	Sylvia (as Eva Longoria)
Chaka Forman	...	Toussant
Tammy Trull	...	Marta
J.K. Simmons	...	Agent Richards
Michael Monks	...	Agent Hollenbeck
Samantha Esteban	...	Letty
Tania Verafield	...	Patty
Noel Gugliemi	...	Flaco
Adriana Millan	...	Rita
Geovanny Corvera	...	Wilo (as Geo Corvera)
Cesar Garcia	...	Listo
Terry Crews	...	Darrell
Emilio Rivera	...	Eddy

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, language and drug use.

Runtime:

116 min | South Korea:103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:16 | Australia:MA | USA:R (certificate #42104) | Singapore:M18 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-15 | New Zealand:R18 | Italy:VM14 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:16 | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Baja California, Mexico

Company:

Andrea Sperling Productions

Trivia:

Noel Gugliemi, who plays Flaco, wears a jacket with a name tag that says 'Hector'. In The Fast and the Furious (2001), Noel Gugliemi played a character called Hector.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the scene where Jim’s car gets pulled over by two cops, a shot showing Officer Leo walking up to the car reveals a crew member visible to the left of the second officer (far left of the screen).

Quotes:

Leo: [pointing firearm at Mike and Jim] Blink and die, scumbag!

Movie Connections:

References Tell Your Children (1936)

Soundtrack:

Return of the Tres

great acting, very human story

I'm glad i haven't seen training day or i'd feel compelled to compare. This film feels real, and the director really makes you feel like you are actually IN the film, in the situation with the characters. You feel part of their lives and start feeling FOR them. Freddy Rodriguez plays a kinda good guy with a weak will and gets roped into anything Jim(Bale) gets him into. His relationship with Eva longoria is something people can identify with. Christian Bale is mind blowing from the moment the film begins (pun intended) he is very believable as Jim and is one crazy SOB in this film, he pulls off the dialogue, attitude and body language really well, You just couldn't tell he was a Brit, let alone welsh. his acting prowess is impeccable. Miles away from the Bruce Wayne he played recently.

All in all, its a good film, i won't give away the story, though its nothing extraordinary but it gives us the feel of how life is in crime ridden cities where people fight for survival every single day.