Harsh Times (2006)

A study in self-destructive behavior

Christian Bale (Jim Davis) is really psychotic in this movie. And he takes Freddy Rodriguez (Mike Alonzo) on this ride of deception, rip-offs, lies, self-indulgence and violence. Just when you think he's changing his ways, Davis sinks deeper into a morass that leads he and Mike to places and circumstances out of their control. Eva Longoria is the long-suffering Sylvia, Rodiguez's girlfriend who must put up with Mike and Jim's sick antics (mostly unbeknownst to her). The end wasn't shocking, but well expected, seeing the deadly path Bale was taking as the movie progressed. Bleak and pathetic existence of two friends, seemingly going nowhere but down.

September 15, 2008

we all have some part of Jim inside ourselves

I am a fan of Christian Bale. I would say this character impressed me much more than his roles in American Psycho, Equilibrium, The Prestige, etc. But this is not a movie for everyone, just like Bale's some other movies. If you have never been haunted by the nightmares of past unpleasant experiences, or have never gone through the struggles of trying to regain a decent life while the die-hard old habits constantly drag you back into the dark...you probably would not like this movie. This film touched my heart. Not only I can relate with the character, but it showed me how complicated and pathetic human beings are to such extent. Honestly speaking, we all have some part of Jim inside ourselves, only in much more subtle ways...if we dare to watch closely. September 12, 2008

Spellbinding performances, a chilling concept

Jim is a veteran from Afghanistan, whose application to the LAPD is turned down. Mike, his friend, is also searching for a job, but choosing instead to party it up with Jim. But the attrocities Jim saw (and committed) in the war begin to wear on him, encouraging the violent side that lay dormant until then, and he slowly drags Mike down with him, spiraling to a breakdown that could shatter their friendship...if they survive it.

I wasn't sure what to expect from "Harsh Times." I've become quite a fan of Christian Bale lately; and I loved Freddy Rodriguez in "Planet Terror," and thought he would be a great dramatic actor (little did I know, he has a lot of experience in the field; my bad homey, as Mike would say). But I wasn't sure about the concept, if it could hold my attention the entire two hours of the film.

Well, it did, largely thanks to two great performances from the leads. True, Bale doesn't flesh out this role as well as he has others, but he's still one of the best out there. Rodriguez matches him step-for-step, creating one of the best dramatic pairings I've seen in quite some time. Eva Longoria and Tammy Trull, as the love interests on the two men, shine in their brief--yet important--performances. J.K. Simmons offers some nice levity as a Homeland Security agent; it's one of the few light-hearted moments in the film, and even then there's something simmering underneath--when Simmons mutters to Bale "We're all a little wacko here," a momentary chill runs down your spine.

The script--by director David Ayer--is fairly good, especially in the film's second half; it's first half feels like Street Lingo 101, full of "dudes" and "homeys" and the like. It's also a bit strange, seeing the Welsh Bale acting like an American soldier who wants to be an Hispanic gangbanger; Bale's Spanish is spoken low and rapidly, probably so we don't pick up on the accent. Still, those are just minor flaws; once the movie pulls you in--as it will--you'll be on the edge of your seat, moved by tragedy (there's little redemption here, sorry) these two men face as their friendship slowly unravels. "Harsh Times" is a gripping, churning drama of the highest caliber. No pun intended. September 11, 2008

Very disappointing

I kept waiting for some redeeming moment in this movie, but alas, it was not to be. Maybe the worst purchase I have ever made. September 6, 2008

Macho high jinks where the violence never stops

People watch different kinds of things for pure escapism. For me, its trash talking macho adolescent high jinks where the plot moves fast, the action never stops and there are guns and violence and drugs. My kind of film!

That's the plot of this 2005 flick I caught on TV the other night. It stars Christian Bale as the war veteran. He starts off all lovey dovey with his Mexican sweetheart. He's American and is going back over the boarder to get a job as a cop. He tells her he will return to Mexico, marry her, bring her to America and live happily ever after. Yeah! Right!

First he meets up with his pal, Freddy Rodriguez, who is trying to get a job and live a straight life. Freddy's wife, Eva Longoria is upscale and professional. She has his resumes all ready for him. All he has to do is drop them off with some prospective employers.

Anyway, the war veteran is turned down by the police and the pal would rather hang out than look for work. They get drunk, score some marijuana, and talk dirty a lot. Soon they have guns, are dealing with drug dealers and killing a few people (who we don't really feel sorry for because they are as low-life as our two heroes). Their lives get weirder and weirder and include the veteran being hired by the CIA and a trip to visit his Mexican sweetheart which turns ugly.

There's more and more violence. The ending is inevitable.

I don't know anyone else who would like this film. But I must admit I did enjoy it.
September 5, 2008

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