Hard Times

Walter Hill is to action what John Carpenter is to horror: Part innovative genius and part workmanlike results. I mean that as an eighties compliment.

The archetypes in Hard Times (a mysterious, laconic stranger with amazing skill and his amiably cocky companion face a series of challengers) and the casting of Bronson, Coburn and Martin seem to be copied from the western genre. Its simplicity detaches it from older fighting movies, and while it may have inspired a later wave of "feel good" streetfighters like Van Damme, it isn't stupid and never hits a sour note. That said, Hard Times is mainly about watching the actors' fist-like faces.

Gritty, straightforward and rather effective. Hill assembles everything very capably for a debut feature, and crucially the casting is spot on. The story itself could probably take place anywhere and anytime, but the depression-era setting does add a certain weight and credibility to the characters' motivations. Well worth seeing. Influenced Street Fighter 2, I understand.

well-directed and straightforward Bronson vehicle elevated by Hill's economic approach and Coburn. Despite its sports drama bits, it also plays as a powerful social drama about trying to make it in times of total despair. Chaney is all for it: a loner, silent drifter who just wants to make some money and move on; oh, he can help his once fight promoter, crazy gambler when he needs. Great cinematography stuff with wide shots and brown and black colors. Fight at the oisters warehouse is awesome.

Good (I dunno, call it neo-gangster) flick that could just as easily have been made back in the 30's featuring a strong performance from Charlie Bronson.

A better--grittier and tougher--version of Eastwood's Any Which Way But Loose films . The writing won't wow you, as the characters and story are fairly predictable, but the actors and filmmaking bring an appealing color and mood, respectively. Bronson's classic, silent tough guy is not surprising or fresh, but still very effective particularly in the fight sequences. Fight choreography may underwhelm modern viewers, but I enjoyed it. ps:65

Decent, Bronson gonna Bronson.

Hill's debut is a spare depression era action/drama that packs a serious punch. Bronson is excellent as a broke street fighter, and Coburn is fun as his shady manager. It's a simple story told in a completely unadorned way, and while one could accuse it of lacking ambition, it doesn't miss any of its targets. The scoreless fights are brutally realistic: you can really feel the bare knuckle body blows delivered swiftly by aged brawlers, and the gritty New Orleans setting is greatly utilized.

A little of a detour from Bronson's usual roles, here he plays a drifter just in it for the money, but his squinty eyed stoicism and hard hitting demeanor are fully intact. It's a unique and pleasantly refreshing Bronson vehicle worth searching out even if you're not a completionist.

Gritty film. Gem of a Charles Bronson performance.

Walter Hill and Charles Bronson seem like a perfect match, each brimming with machismo. Add the always smiling and scheming Coburn and you have something pretty great. The fight scenes are often brutal but their choreography establishes a sense of space that feels lost other films of the subject. A fantastic debut from Hill that shows much of his talents.

Meh story; good fight scenes and setting. Fav scene: final fight.

hill'in kamera kullanımıyla yine güzel işler çıkardığı ama yer yer fazla sıkan ve bunu anlatısına anlam katacak biçimde yapamayan bir film. bu film üzerinden ciddi bir dönem okuması yapmak için oyunculuklar ve diyaloglar da komik seviyelerde, yani o okumaya gerekli desteği sağlayamıyorlar.

Viewed September 28, 2020.

Charles Bronson is really good in this and holds his own against James Coburn. The story is nothing fancy but it's handled well. in a lot of ways, this plays out like a western. I also liked how the ending panned out without some big double cross or gun fight.

You know what? Just eh.

A dark film with Charles Bronson bring it all together. Bronson is type cast in rolls like this for a reason.

Em honra do centenário de Charles Bronson. Teria gostado mais se assistido numa época em que eu gostava de excesso de testosterona, mas é um bom debut para o Hill. BlurayRip RARBG.

A fight-movie with some descent scenes in between. That, and Bronsons intense presence makes the movie wort watching.

The fight scenes are cool and there is an undeniable charisma on display, but that doesn't make it good. It makes it watchable. I am still convinced that Charles Bronson is as overrated as they come. And nobody else in the movie convinces me to care or identify with them.