Harsh Times (2005)

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

Director:

David Ayer

Writer:

David Ayer

Stars:

Christian Bale, Freddy Rodríguez, Eva Longoria

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christian Bale	...	Jim Luther Davis
Freddy Rodríguez	...	Mike Alonzo
Eva Longoria	...	Sylvia
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
Geo Corvera	...	Wilo
Cesar Garcia	...	Listo
Terry Crews	...	Darrell
Emilio Rivera	...	Eddy

Storyline

Jim Davis is an ex-Army Ranger who finds himself slipping back into his old life of petty crime after a job offer from the LAPD evaporates. His best friend is pressured by his girlfriend Sylvia to find a job, but Jim is more interested in hanging out and making cash from small heists, while trying to get a law enforcement job so he can marry his Mexican girlfriend.

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Plot Keywords:

friend | violence | lapd | mexican | african american | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language and drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish Korean

Release Date:

10 November 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Teška vremena

Filming Locations:

Baja California, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,968,505 (USA) (10 November 2006)

Gross:

$3,335,839 (USA) (8 December 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Andrea Sperling Productions, Crave Films, Harsh Times

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The entire film was shot in 24 days.

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Goofs

[Spoiler] Just after Eddy is murdered in the bar, Jim and Mike run to Jim's car. As they are driving away the camera and a crew member's shadow is clearly visible on the sidewalk.

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Quotes

Jim Davis: I see dumb people.

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Connections

References Reefer Madness (1936)

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Soundtracks

"Ni Parientes Somos"
Written by Enrique Franco Aguilar
Performed by Los Tigres del Norte
Courtesy of Fonovisa Records
Under license from Los Tigres del Norte, Inc.

User Reviews

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.