Straight Time (1978)

Dustin Hoffman as he ie rarely seen

Tootsie, The Graduate, his whole catalog has nothing like this! See it then believe it! Thresa Russell, Gary Busey ... Stellar support! Not for the squeamish! December 12, 2007

Very good, but flawed

After reading all the "greatest unknown film ever" reviews here, I gave this a shot. The first 30 minutes or so are truly engrossing, but once Walsh disappears from the film it all gets rather routine. The main problem is that Dembo starts out as likeable, but then you see that we've been given a false impression; the guy is really just a violent and rather stupid prick. There is a promise of redemption that quickly fades and all we're left with is a semi-realistic portrayal of a pretty boring hoodlum with no imagination and no love for anything but the rush of the next caper.
I say semi-realistic because Hoffman is certainly solid but I just can't buy him as Dembo. There is too much intelligence in Dembo/Hoffman's eyes for him to be this selfish and stupid. As for this being his best role ever, give me a break. Not even close. The character offers nowhere near the levels of complexity that Dustin reaches in many other films.
The supporting cast is excellent; two of the great character actors of their generation, Stanton and Walsh, are both tremendous. [Spoilers coming] The best thing in the film is the look in Harry's eyes just before he croaks; subtle and so much more real than most Hollywood deaths.
Russell is good but offers no discernible reason for putting up with Dembo's bs. And Walsh's character could EASILY find Dembo by finding her after he escapes; Dembo told him who she was! That's the biggest flaw in this script, which is ultimately an above-average 70s character study but no masterpiece.
It was a great decade for this introverted, European attitude towards examing motivation, but Straight Time left me feeling kind of cheated by the end. It starts so strongly and ends so pointlessly. Maybe that's the point, but it feels rather hollow.
Sure, it may be more realisitic than most cop/crime flicks, but that hardly makes it the masterpiece that other reviewers here claim it to be.
It's very good, but it's a long way from genius. October 28, 2007

Good action crime movie

Hoffman, Busey (in one of his earliest roles) Theresa Russell, excellent scene of Hoffman's PO getting what he deserved. All around good action and temp. Harry Dean Stanton in a great supporing role. August 9, 2007

Real Life

This is one of the best movies that depict what it really is like for a hard core type, ex-con to get back into society and go off the edge. I speak from experience, having done 21 years in penitentiaries, and following into a simular pattern. July 17, 2007

A small gem finally shows up

I remember seeing this film in Denver at a sneak preview. It didn't get much theatre time and soon disappeared into VHS rental and unwatchable, edited presentations on AMC until this new DVD. The film looks terrific in original widescreen and has audio screen comments by the director and Hoffman which enrich the viewing experience. Straight Time has a wonderful supporting cast, Gary Busey, a wonderful Harry Dean Stanton, and a very young Theresa Russell among others. This is a script driven film that reminds one that car crashes, exploding buildings and macho super heroes are not necessary for a great crime film. June 11, 2007

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