Straight Time (1978)

Just perfect...

Absolutely the worst movie.

The first must-see film of the year.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Based on ex-convict Eddie Bunker's novel, No Beast So Fierce, pic pitches Dustin Hoffman as ex-con Max Dembo, who after being released from prison has every intention to go straight. Easier said than done, though...It's hard to believe that Straight Time is often thought of as under seen, a hidden gem of the 1970s, this given that it stars Dustin Hoffman and the advent of the internet years has seen it garner votes and reviews aplenty. Yet it does seem to be a pic that doesn't get its due credit, annoying since it's one of Hoffman's greatest performances.Hoffman loved the material and heavily sought to direct and star in it. Something which proved too hard for him to do. He was humble enough to recognise this fact and brought in friend Ulu Grosbard to direct while he concentrated on the acting side of things - result!There is absolutely no glamour on show here, Max is surrounded by weasels, slime balls, junkies and perpetual thieves, while his own mental fortitude is suspect at best. It's both gripping and disturbing, this world he inhabits, no excuses are put forward, no "woe is me" tales, he ultimately accepts his lot.Hoffman is backed by superb performances from Harry Dean Stanton, M. Emmet Walsh and Gary Busey, and Theresa Russell gives quality turn as the naive woman in Max's life - no token here, she's in the grip of a homme career criminal and not merely here to look pretty and doe eyed.As a character study it positively bristles with brains and foolish brawn, and Grosbard directs with unfussy skill whilst showing a very good eye for a dramatic action scene. Studio interference would hurt the pic upon release, but now this can be seen as a film of great worth. 9/10

Once ignored by seemingly Everyone, Critics and Audiences, this Sleeper is continually gaining the respect and admiration it deserves. A Neo-Noir from the Pen of the perennially penned-up Eddie Bunker who has since become rehabilitated from Drug and Crime and slowly made a Name as a teller of unfettered Truth from a Convict's point of View.Dustin Hoffman in an Uncanny Acting Turn is wholly believable as the short- tempered Small Time Criminal who gives a half-hearted attempt to do "Straight Time" despite His tendencies to be completely Anti-Establishment and lashes out any chance He gets to beat down anyone who gets in the way of His anger.A fully Great Cast of Character Actors like Harry Dean Stanton, E. Emmett Walsh, and Gary Busey, with Theresa Russell in an Early and understated Performance as Hoffman's wannabe Girlfriend and the Direction from No-Frills Ulu Grosbard make this a Must See.It's a Come Together of Gritty 1970's Realism, a Tell it Like it Is Script, and fine Acting. By the Late Seventies that 70's bleak look at Life through a Vision of Verisimilitude rather than Style might have played out and that accounts for its Lackluster reception at the Time.But Time has been kind to this one. It is now considered one of the Better Films of the Seventies despite the lack of Crime Thriller Charisma so often seen in the Movies that is an easy sell and a built in Audience wanting Fast-Paced and Gussied Up displays of Crime and Criminals. This one plays it perfectly "Straight".

In Los Angeles, Max Dembo (Dustin Hoffman) is released from prison on parole reporting to strict parole officer Earl (M. Emmet Walsh). He's trying to go straight after a lifetime of thieving. At the employment agency, Jenny Mercer (Theresa Russell) gets him factory work. They go out on a date. Then Earl sends him back to jail. Blood test proves that he's clean and he's released. Earl picks him up to drive him to the halfway house. He hits Earl and escapes. With no way to go straight, he returns to his criminal past.Dustin Hoffman started as the director but had to hire Ulu Grosbard to take over. It allows to concentrate more on the acting. It does meander for the first half. It's a slow jog with some tense action later on. The directing is functional. It does have some interesting acting talents beside Hoffman. Theresa Russell is a fresh-faced newbie in this. A little tighter would make this even better.

Straight Time (1978) Dustin Hoffman plays Max Dembo, a convict, at the mercy of his parole officer to set him free. While on parole for the first time, Jenny Mercer (Theresa Russell) helps him get a job which is a requisite for ending the parole. They both fall in love. When the parole officer makes a search at Max's home he finds evidence of a dope being used. Max lets his friend Jerry use the dope in his room earlier. So, Max is arrested again & a urine test is taken. When found not guilty Max is let out in parole again. Completely irritated by the officer Max runs away from him. Soon, he comes to know that the only thing he could do well is burglary. While robbing a jewelers shop, a mistake leads to the death of his close friend & confidante. However, Max escapes & absconds with his girl friend Jenny. At last, completely disgusted with the world, Max sends his girl friend home to L.A & admits that he knows he will get caught again! Awesome performance from Hoffman. I am unfamiliar with director Ulu Grosbard but it is a powerful lean stage play. Kind of a slice life/realism type thing. Reminds me of the 50s TV & film noir crime (gangster) dramas. This is a strange movie in that the character we fully identify with turns out to not be such a good guy - & stays that way. This film could be the high point in Dustin Hoffman's career, perhaps his greatest performance. The film does not romanticize the violence & makes the viewer feel pity the Dembo & his bad choices. This is one of Dustin Hoffman's greatest roles. It is one of those performances where I forget I was witnessing a great performance by an actor. It felt like a real life documentary. Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton, & Theresa Russell were all fantastic as well. Kathy Bates here in an early role. Great direction by Ulu Grosbard The film is not about raising anyone's spirits but just the fascination with the low class criminal crime rat. Dembo is not a smart or attractive criminal. One of the great movies of the 70s. 4 stars