IMDb > Harsh Times (2005)
Harsh Times
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Harsh Times (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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Harsh Times (2005) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   24,301 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
David Ayer (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Harsh Times on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 November 2006 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A tough-minded drama about two friends in South Central Los Angeles and the violence that comes between them. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(18 articles)
User Comments:
Christian Bale Gives A Blistering Performance - One of the Best On Screen Characters Ever Depicted On Film more (182 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, language and drug use.
Runtime:
116 min | South Korea:103 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The license plate 2GAT123 which appears in this film has also featured in many other films which include Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Traffic (2000), Pay It Forward (2000), Mulholland Dr. (2001), Crazy/Beautiful (2001), L.A. Story (1991), "Two and a Half Men" (2003)_ and S.W.A.T. (2003). more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Jim and Mike are driving in the car, Mike opens two bottles of beer for himself and Jim. However you can see that Jim's beer has already been opened and is missing it's crown cap. more
Quotes:
Polygraph Expert: I've been doing polygraph tests since before you were swimming in your father's balls. Now either you've got a tack in your shoe, or you're clenching your butt. more
Movie Connections:
Features "Life & Times" (1998) more
Soundtrack:
Corazon Ilusionado more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
224 out of 278 people found the following comment useful.
Christian Bale Gives A Blistering Performance - One of the Best On Screen Characters Ever Depicted On Film, 21 August 2006
9/10
Author: gavmills930 from United Kingdom

First off, let me start by saying that I have never been bothered to write a review on IMDb. Although a fan of the site, I skim read reviews, often not having the patience to read the long essays that over-excited people write. However, I feel it is my obligation to express my opinion on this movie because it is one of a short list of movies that has made an impact on me emotionally.

I honestly believe that Christian Bale's performance in this movie was truly outstanding. If Denzel Washington can be rewarded for best actor in Training Day then Bale deserves his just rewards for Harsh Times. His portrayal of Jim David, an ex-army ranger, is coated in layers of emotional complexity and psychological deterioration. His ability to transform from an honourable, courteous officer to a full blown psycho and then back to loving boyfriend and 'amigo' is truly terrifying.

Sharing much screen time with Bale is a relatively unknown Freddy Rodriquez. He seems to feed off Bale's character and forces the audience to feel sympathy for him as a childhood friend who can't abandon his crazy best friend. A cross between Benny Blanco (Carlito's Way) and Ethan Hawke's character in Training Day, Rodriquez shows his ability in mixing comedic moments up with emotional intensity and apathy. His friendship with Bale is so unpredictable that as an audience, you find yourself laughing with them at one moment and the next on the verge of tears.

David Ayer has created a dark, moody portrayal of South Central Los Angeles, very similar to that of Training Day. It's a bleak, bustling environment where the main characters encounter drug dealers, gang leaders, prostitutes etc. What I found interesting was the way Ayer introduced the beautiful barren Mexican landscape amongst the roughness of LA life. This was to show the personal crossroads Bale's character experiences. The choice whether to stay in Mexico and marry his girlfriend, or to satisfy his sadistic urge to kill and work for the drugs squad in Columbia.

It's frustrating that Harsh Times will not get the box office recognition it deserves. However, through word of mouth and DVD release, I am certain that this will become a sleeper classic, in the style of Shawshank Redemption. I feel that Christian Bale's performance is as mesmerising as De Niro's Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver or Edward Norton's character in American History X. His raw approach to the role makes for a startling but very rewarding experience.

Overall Verdict: A tour de force of a movie with fantastic performances, stylish direction and an after-taste which will stay with you for a very long time. Not since American History X has a movie affected me on such an emotional level. Christian Bale deserves more credit. Much more.....

9.5/10

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more (182 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Harsh Times (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Allusion to Harsh Times in another movie? mastholte
In the Bar wearing the vests/translation dougee_fresh
Over acting ty-jensen
Maybe im jumpin' the gun but ..(spoiler maybe?) sloanrules
Not To Diminish Performances... Etrival
Would you have gone to mexico with Jim or stayed w the chica? mattmattchu
more

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