On H List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
Hard Times (1975)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
1/21
1/21:
Before there was Lionheart, there was Hard Times.
It's a perfect Charles Bronson vehicle for Walter Hill to make his directorial debut. His character shows up
out of nowhere, gets into a few illegal bare-knuckle fights, collects the money, and hops on the next train to
north. In between, he says little, tries to make it work with a down-and-out female, and minds his own business.
That's what I call a neo-noir, all right. At least, Walter Hill doesn't overdo it this time. Sure,
Hard Times is average in many ways, but it's not a boring movie by any means. The most disappointing part
is New Orleans not being shown much: just a couple of shots here and there with one scene taking place at St.
Vincent de Paul Cemetery.
Like I said, Charles Bronson is perfect. He has the physique required for the role, and that alone makes him
believable. Amazingly enough, Charles Bronson was 53 at the time. His co-star from
The Magnificent Seven and
The Great Escape, James Coburn, isn't bad, having to play second
fiddle. The rest of the cast is good as well. Unfortunately, the fights look fake at times.
All in all, Charles Bronson demonstrates in Hard Times what a real man is.