Straight Time

1978

1h 54m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

177

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Crime

Drama

After being released on parole, a burglar attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules. He soon finds himself back in jail at the hands of a power-hungry parole officer.

Directors

Ulu Grosbard

Writers

Edward Bunker(novel by)

Alvin Sargent(screenplay by)

Edward Bunker(screenplay by)

Stars

Dustin Hoffman

Theresa Russell

Gary Busey

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Top cast

Max Dembo

Jenny Mercer

Willy Darin

Jerry Schue

Earl Frank

Carol Schue

Selma Darin

Manny

Henry Darin

Grocery Clerk

Cafe Owner

Mickey

Hotel Manager

Bar Patron

Counterman

Waiter

Grocer

Employment Clerk

Directors

Ulu Grosbard

Writers

Edward Bunker(novel by)

Alvin Sargent(screenplay by)

Edward Bunker(screenplay by)

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Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

I got stomach trouble... no guts. 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

John Chard31 Jul, 2016