Review of Harsh Times (2005) by Robert C — 06 Oct 2009

One of the best movies I've seen all summer, not because it's especially clever or sophisticated but because you don't expect it for being something different. Its gritty, it's dark and its generally a well made film. For a plot that consists of two guys drinking and smoking weed and just generally doing nothing in an urban neighbourhood... I just couldn't stop watching!

Christian Bale is haunting in this performance and this is probably one of his best movies. Freddy Rodriguez is equally good as Bale's support and together they have this very charismatic partnership. To be fair the movie doesn't exactly have the most extensive of plots... but you do feel like it covers a lot of ground whilst you're watching it. Also as the movie progresses it becomes very uncomfortable and kinda scary with Bale's instability. Think modern day Deer Hunter... but in a similar style to Training Day. A slow burning character driven movie.... and that just happens to be what I like.

However for some, you'll either love it or you'll hate it...