Straight Time (1978)

Starring Dustin Hoffman. I just watched for the first time after taping it off TCM. One of those heralded, underrated 70s movies I never got around to seeing. I was very impressed. The direction is superb. I kept expecting to pause or fast-forward for bathroom, kitchen breaks, etc, but it was too fast-paced. I believe it was also the first major film appearance for Theresa Russell, and featured Kathy Bates in a small part. Comments anyone?

Cannot stand Dustin Hoffman, so never watch any of his movies.

Shut up, OP. Your stupid contrived reviews of a movie or TV show are just trolling.

You don't belong here.

Agree. I was mostly impressed with Hoffman's subtle performance, no hamming it up in this film. Hoffman's body is appropriately thin, taut and toned as I've never seen it before or since. I saw Straight Time at the movies in New York in 1978. Still a favorite...I'm glad that the ending wasn't a shoot out like it would be today. Someone else can give you the messy backstory.

Then why are you posting R1?

R1 So then why did you contribute to this thread, you piece of shit? Why don't you just die, and take R2 with you!

R2 Since when it is not acceptable for posters to post their reflections and thoughts about movies, hoping to start a conversation?

R2 is an attention whore. Drunk, and waiting for the frozen dinner in the microwave to be ready.

Although Theresa Russell was waaaaaaay too young for Hoffman, I liked her character. I also liked that she was such an ordinary girl - both acting and looking. If the movie was made today, the character would be played by some overly inflated 22 year old.

R2 Bitch, YOU don’t belong here!

I’ve never watched this film, op. What did you like most about it?

Now......back to our program.

Theresa Russell and Kathy Bates in supporting roles

R8 I disagree in this context. He mentioned to the parole officer in the previous scene that he wanted someone to love. Of course his character would pursue someone much younger and naive. Plus her lack of experience would make her vulnerable, and she was probably turned on by his bad-boy stance. Any woman older would immediately see thru his bullshit and understand the peril she'd be put in.

In most cases I'd agree with you, but I thought this was authentic.

I want to watch it. But it seems to be unavailable.

Loved it OP! Watched tonight. A great 70's film and the Los Angeles setting makes it even better.

It had some Jackie Brown elements to me.

Great and forgotten film.

I thought that the entire cast was outstanding.

Indeed an unheralded film and Hoffman was never better. Though he wasn't Oscar-nominated for Straight Time his performance as Max is infinitely more complex than those he did win for: Kramer vs Kramer and Rain Man. The film is superlatively cast and acted. Cathy Bates has never been slimmer, Theresa Russell is surprisingly believable, Harry Dean Stanton and M Emmett Walsh are outstanding, Gary Busey's son Jake plays his son and the film based on the novel No Beast So Fierce by Edward Bunker a former convict who plays the part of Mickey is one of the most convincing portraits of a certain criminal underbelly of society ever seen on film. The film creates remarkable tension in the scene of the jewelry store robbery. Unlike the Godfather I&II Straight Time is unflinching, unsentimental and ruthlessly objective and still makes you care about a lowlife rat. One of the best American films of the 70s.

Any strip-searching? Does he get raped in the showers?

R17 Yes, no, but there is a shower scene.

Kate Jackson was up for the Theresa Russell part, but Aaron Spelling wouldn't let out of her Charlie's Angels contract.

R19 Praise be to Aaron Spelling. Her contract also prevented her from doing Kramer vs Kramer.

R19 Aaron Spelling was such a creep! He was afraid they would lose their amazing actress Kate Jackson. Which they did because they prevented Kate from doing a couple of roles. So Kate left and Charlie's Angels went down the shitters.

R21 Did you ever see Kate act? Her acting is robotic and flat. For what little she had to do on Charlies' Angels she was well paid. Did Hoffman have a thing for her? Both films she missed out on starred him or did he realize she'd be no competition for him. Watch her in Limbo (1972), House of Dark Shadows(1972) and Making Love (197?) She's not movie actress material.

Kate is an amazing actress. Her facial expressions can tell stories. She did a LOT on and for CA. That was hard work and she deserved everything she got paid. Little known fact: Kate invented this show, the name and the whole concept were all her ideas! (she never got paid a cent for her ideas though!!) So without Kate, no show! And she made the show! She's the only one who created her role and made her the iconic off-beat Sabrina who could do anything and was fun, compassionate, badass, athletic, smart etc. Totally convincing and never boring. Without her the show was doomed. Then Kate did "Making Love" only two years after CA. A totally different persona! And her in the last scene. THAT is outstanding acting that only a few can pull off. Even many so-called movie stars. Kate in "Limbo". Absolutely wonderful! A young actress, a rising star, in one of her first films. She already had it. The subtlety, vulnerability, the onscreen presence. A joy to watch. Speaking of presence: Kate was the No. 1 choice for Kramer vs Kramer for her charisma and presence. And she would have shined in that role! In her very own way! The director wanted Kate! Just because she was an Angel (the best one by far) doesn't mean she wouldn't have been great in it. Different than Streep but she would have been wonderful. An Oscar win? Maybe, maybe not. We don't know what might have been. But that's not the point. That role would have helped Kate to transition from TV to the big screen. Something that was very hard to do in the 1970's. As it is she didn't get the chance to do it and that was tough. And Ms. Streep's career would have been different if Kate had been allowed to do that movie. Producer Goldberg said in an interview "But I'm sure to this day Streep thanks her". I doubt it Mr. Goldberg. I really do!

It's interesting to watch Gary Busey when he was a half decent actor before he became a professional lunatic after his bike accident and drug overdose.

[quote]That role would have helped Kate to transition from TV to the big screen.

[quote]And Ms. Streep's career would have been different if Kate had been allowed to do that movie.

Can you imagine - Kate Jackson starring in Sophie's Choice!

R25 Absolutely! Don't underestimate her as an actress.

[quote] I saw Straight Time at the movies in New York in 1978.

R3 are you who I think you are?

OP (or anyone) how can you record a movie off TCM? There's one I want to see that's on their app and I'd like to get a recording of it. Does anyone know?

The entire cast is amazing

If only Kate had been able to do Kramer vs. Kramer we may have had no M.

R31 did you never see Making Love?

Hoffman was the original director, but was quickly replaced by Grosbard:

" Referring to the original title, No Beast So Fierce, a 20 Jul 1976 HR article listed Hal Ashby as the director, with a start date of 15 Oct 1976 in Los Angeles, CA. As noted in news briefs from a 9 Feb 1977 DV and a 28 Mar 1977 Box, the actual first day of production was 9 Feb 1977 at Folsom Prison near Sacramento, CA, with Hoffman making his directorial debut.

After a few days, filming was delayed when Hoffman stepped down as director. In his 10 Mar 1977 DV column, Army Archerd reported that Hoffman relinquished the responsibility by choice, after spending four days on location juggling the duties of a director, a starring role and an uncredited producer. In a NYT editorial dated 15 Sep 1998, Hoffman’s first assistant director, Jerry Ziesmer, recalled the first day of filming at Folsom involving a basic establishing shot of the prison. Hoffman requested constant resets, and by that evening, the crew still had not completed a single frame. According to Ziesmer, Hoffman spent only one day in the director’s chair."

Grosbard has 7 directorial credits including Who is Harry Kellerman . . . with Dustin Hoffman and True Confessions He directed four actors in Oscar nominated performances: Patricia Neal, Barbara Harris, Mare Winningham and Frank Albertson who won an Oscar for The Subject Was Roses.

R34 He also directed one of M.'s worst films - Falling in Love (1984). I know I've appeared in some shit but nothing as bad as this stinker.

Bravo R23,! Seriously, she's an awful actress, almost painful to watch.

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