After being released on parole, a burglar attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules. He soon finds himself back in jail at the hands of a power-hungry parole officer.
Dustin Hoffman
Max Dembo
Theresa Russell
Jenny Mercer
Gary Busey
Willy Darin
Harry Dean Stanton
Jerry Schue
M. Emmet Walsh
Earl Frank
Rita Taggart
Carol Schue
Kathy Bates
Selma Darin
Sandy Baron
Manny
Jake Busey
Henry Darin
Peter Kwong
Grocery Clerk
Fran Ryan
Cafe Owner
Edward Bunker
Mickey
Tina Menard
Hotel Manager
Stephanie Ericsson
Bar Patron
Dave Kelly
Counterman
Don Sommese
Waiter
Kit Jee Wong
Grocer
Jane Howard
Employment Clerk
Director
Ulu Grosbard
Novel, Screenplay
Edward Bunker
Screenplay
Jeffrey Boam
Screenplay
Alvin Sargent
July 31, 2016
9
I got stomach trouble... no guts.
Based on ex-convict Eddie Bunker's novel, No Beast So Fierce, pic pitches Dustin Hoffman as ex-con Max Dembo, who after being released from prison has every intention to go straight. Easier said than done, though...
It's hard to believe that Straight Time is often thought of as under seen, a hidden gem of the 1970s, this given that it stars Dustin Hoffman and the advent of the internet years has seen it garner votes and reviews aplenty. Yet it does seem to be a pic that doesn't get its due credit, annoying since it's one of Hoffman's greatest performances.
Hoffman loved the material and heavily sought to direct and star in it. Something which proved too hard for him to do. He was humble enough to recognise this fact and brought in friend Ulu Grosbard to direct while he concentrated on the acting side of things - result!
There is absolutely no glamour on show here, Max is surrounded by weasels, slime balls, junkies and perpetual thieves, while his own mental fortitude is suspect at best. It's both gripping and disturbing, this world he inhabits, no excuses are put forward, no "woe is me" tales, he ultimately accepts his lot.
Hoffman is backed by superb performances from Harry Dean Stanton, M. Emmet Walsh and Gary Busey, and Theresa Russell gives quality turn as the naive woman in Max's life - no token here, she's in the grip of a homme career criminal and not merely here to look pretty and doe eyed.
As a character study it positively bristles with brains and foolish brawn, and Grosbard directs with unfussy skill whilst showing a very good eye for a dramatic action scene. Studio interference would hurt the pic upon release, but now this can be seen as a film of great worth. 9/10
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$9,900,000.00