European Bob
10-02-2006, 12:30 PM
Harsh Times?
It wasn't very well publicised film probably because it was a flop, it's very much in the mould of Falling Down, Training Day or probably the most obvious likeness is Taxi Driver. It was actually directed by the same guy who wrote Training Day and has a very similar feel to it. It stars Christian Bale (the latest Batman) and Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under) who have a really good on screen chemistry. the critics seemed to absolutely hate this one which i can understand a bit as the story is a little lacking but as mentioned before the chemistry between the two lead characters is a massive part of what makes this film. IMO Christian Bale is currently one of the most exciting actors to watch with such diverse performances as in the Machinist, American Psycho and admittedly some other films that are not worth a mention. Freddie Rodriguez makes a very good transition to the big screen having not really seen him in anything else although I do know he’s acted in films before. Without giving too much away and I think this is what some reviewers missed, it's about Gulf War Syndrome and the difficulties faced when a soldier returns to civvy street following stint in the forces and has to find work. The film details (not so extensively) the resultant breakdown of a man who seems owned by the circumstances he finds himself in.
If anything this film is darkly comic at times and not the violent
Let me start by saying this film is in no way better then Taxi Driver however, as a modern take on a vaguely similar premise I thought this was a very good film and wrote this review because I hope it doesn't just slip under the radar. If anything this film is darkly comic un hollywood, hollywood film.
It wasn't very well publicised film probably because it was a flop, it's very much in the mould of Falling Down, Training Day or probably the most obvious likeness is Taxi Driver. It was actually directed by the same guy who wrote Training Day and has a very similar feel to it. It stars Christian Bale (the latest Batman) and Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under) who have a really good on screen chemistry. the critics seemed to absolutely hate this one which i can understand a bit as the story is a little lacking but as mentioned before the chemistry between the two lead characters is a massive part of what makes this film. IMO Christian Bale is currently one of the most exciting actors to watch with such diverse performances as in the Machinist, American Psycho and admittedly some other films that are not worth a mention. Freddie Rodriguez makes a very good transition to the big screen having not really seen him in anything else although I do know he’s acted in films before. Without giving too much away and I think this is what some reviewers missed, it's about Gulf War Syndrome and the difficulties faced when a soldier returns to civvy street following stint in the forces and has to find work. The film details (not so extensively) the resultant breakdown of a man who seems owned by the circumstances he finds himself in.
If anything this film is darkly comic at times and not the violent
Let me start by saying this film is in no way better then Taxi Driver however, as a modern take on a vaguely similar premise I thought this was a very good film and wrote this review because I hope it doesn't just slip under the radar. If anything this film is darkly comic un hollywood, hollywood film.