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

According to David Ayer, the script for Harsh Times was written in 1996. He wrote this script shortly after he wrote the script for Training Day, which was completed a year earlier. The script is semi-autobiographical and is based on his own experiences. Like the character of Jim (Christian Bale), Ayer grew up in South Central LA, and joined the military. Upon returning to LA, he too found himself drifting into petty crime, and hanging out with his friend all day. He was able to pull his life together however, but some of his friends were unable to do so. As such, the character of Jim is a composite of both Ayer and a number of people he knew.

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Goofs

When Jim and Mike go to see Toussant he uses his key to open the door however you can see that the door isn't tightly shut.

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Quotes

Jim Davis: I see dumb people.

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Connections

References The Sixth Sense (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Que No Quede Huella"
Written by Jose Guadalupe Esparza
Performed by Bronco
Courtesy of Fonovisa Records
Under license froim Production And Services Marin, Inc.
Courtesy of Sony BMG Ariola International Mexico
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Entertainment

User Reviews

Outstanding...

The plot in this film is somewhat like an aircraft that spends a puzzlingly long time taxiing along the runway before it finally gets airborne. Even then, it is not until the final part that the joystick is forcefully pulled back, and with a great whoosh we are up for some very showy loop-the-loops and victory rolls. HARSH TIMES is both sophisticated and ambitious, with intriguing character development. Despite the slow start that had me, an avid fan of Christian Bale, shifting uncomfortably in my seat, it is never the less witty, ingenious, and a pleasure to watch. Christian Bale undoubtedly stole the show.