Straight Time

Gritty character study of a career thief trying to go straight after his latest incarceration, based on Eddie Bunker's novel No Beast So Fierce. Standard stuff elevated by great performances (you can practically taste Hoffman's desperation by the end) and authentic dialog/robbery sequences. Also, Theresa Russell is totally sexy in that all-natural 70's kind of way, even if her character is the weakest of the bunch.

I liked it at first -- I felt it was a standard, but definitely serviceable post-prison character study that showed the hypocrisies of the penal system, made great by Hoffman's very encompassing performance. Some of the more action-ey scenes towards the end are also very well done. But I can't help but feel that ultimately this film wasn't all that important or inspiring (and, at times, entertaining) mainly because of the very shoe-horned romanctic sub-plot.

What I'm looking for from a gritty 70's crime flick.

proto-mann fatalism of course (he's an uncredited co-writer), time's always ticking and you gotta keep it or you'll serve it. the excitement of asking the girl when she gets off work, the rage toward the late gun supplier or the prematurely fleeing getaway driver, the sadness of requesting a bus timetable for a parting, and the tragic irony of losing time because you're stealing a luxury watch, of all things, for your love. time is luck. luck ran out.

Okay, here's what I call casting. Nevermind Hoffman who's already an established star and Busey who's just okay, but pre-Nick-Roeg Theresa Russell, pre-Paris-Texas Harry Dean Stanton and even a young Kathy Bates... that's just visionary. The movie is nothing out of the ordinary but very well-made.

Straight Time seems to be a forgotten character study with, arguably, Dustin Hoffman's best performance. His story is absolutely devastating and he nails the role with subtlety mixed a a few bouts of rage. A further dive into what makes him tick would have perfected the film for me. The film's aesthetic is of a grime and grit usually reserved for NYC. It is an amazing look at the underbelly for Southern California. Add a wonderful supporting cast and Straight Time is something special.

What I love about it, is the rush of these characters. It's a very exciting film with a wonderful leading performance.

The gradual reveal of the depth of Denbo's cruelty is inspired.

Drama with a very authentic vibe. In fact, so authentic that you can sometimes hear the footsteps of the camera man. Dustin Hoffman is quite good and lifelike.

I don't get Theresa Russell's character, why is she so chill all the time? Seems like nothing in the world bothers her.

1970s American film was all about GRIT. Dustin Hoffman and his GRITTY moustache and scraggly sideburns are just perfect.

Remarkable cast. Hoffman, Stanton, Bates, good ol Busey and the always nothing short of exceptional M. Emmet Walsh. I mean. Does it get any better? Also manages to somehow combine funky, flashy 70s disco AND gritty, grey images... quite the feat!

I really enjoyed this film. Great acting and suspense. I was totally expecting this to end similar to The Asphalt Jungle... Glad it was different.

Dustin Hoffman is totally miscast here as a supposed hardened badass criminal (he's actually supposed to be Eddie Bunker, believe it or not). BUT, fans of Roger Ebert's "Stanton-Walsh rule" will be fascinated to know that this is the only movie to star both E. Emmet Walsh AND Harry Dean Stanton

This was a sad chore to watch, regrettably I came straight from 'No Beast So Fierce' to this, hoping to lap up a little more of Bunker's world. This was a very pale rendering of the book. Sure it had to do things on it's own terms, but I don't think it was pulled off successfully. And I can't take Hoffman seriously as a 'tough'.

87.000

Ex-Con Hoffman finds parole too hard to deal with and is driven back to crime. Brilliant and gritty heist thriller that inspired Resrvoir Dogs.

Straightforward 'out of jail, back to crime' story lifted to greater heights by a wonderful cast. Stylistically unremarkable, but I liked the slow buildup to Hoffman's decisions and reveals about his darker side.

The film at first tries to convince us that Dembo is a smart, well-meaning guy who just made a few mistakes in life. But it sure doesn't take much to steer him back to crime. I just didn't have any sympathy for him. That aside, it's a very watchable film, especially the inside looks at the jail and the crimes. The cast is full of interesting character actors, but the weak link is Theresa Russell, an actress I've never liked. The direction is rather unremarkable, too.

An engaging no frills tale of a man easily sucked back into a life of crime, anchored by a Hoffman on fine form.

Very good acting from everyone and the story gets pretty tense along the way. Not the most original story out there, but it's interesting throughout

Excellent.

This is a well made film. Dustin Hoffman is good in the lead role. The supporting cast also does good work here. The script is well done and does not go over the top. Overall I would highly recommend this film.

A homosexual clock fighting against the discrimination and pressure put on him from his batteries

86.250

I think the movie does a great job of not letting Hoffman's character just be an underdog, but at the same time (up to a point) question how much it is his own doing against how absurd and meticulous the system is he's under.

What's the message of this movie, is it once a criminal, always a criminal? That any little thing can make an ex-con fall off the wagon and fall back to his old ways? I should have been disgusted with this movie, but the acting was so good, I was engaged the whole time.

Wow- Hoffman is unhinged here. I really appreciated the action and suspense here. Down and out with no hope, a master thief re-emerges on the scene.

Some intrigue and good heist scenes. Well acted, but I felt little for Hoffman's main character, and he goes over the edge at points, in a despicable way. Tough watch.