Harsh Times

Too shallow. Over time, the constantly pissed off and off the rails expression of Christian Bale will start to irritate you just like his problems in the film – he starts and doesn't even really know why. Harsh Times is indeed intense, but it has nothing to offer in terms of plot. The overwhelming majority of things are there for effect and it doesn't get under your skin. That is, assuming you have seen a thing or two and a high concentration of fucks and the raw feeling of a big city's periphery are not something that would impress you. (10/09/2014)

I haven’t seen such a good move about nothing for a long time. Christian Bale’s Jim Davis is the best played, most unpleasant character of the past few years. He could probably manage to pull off a three-hour gaze into the mirror with style. His interpretation of the mental sale of this unstable, dumb, aggressive brute is an unforgettable experience. I believe there are countless people like that around. I have the misfortune to know one myself. Just a shame that the role played in this movie by my favorite, Freddy Rodriguez, didn’t suit him one little bit. Also the movie could easily have been a little shorter. But thank god for Bale - his incredible skill moved the entire movie along wonderfully... (02/19/2008)

Christian Bale proves right from the beginning that he is a method actor and really immerses himself in the role. In this case, it means we are watching a genuinely unpleasant person who will irritate you from the beginning, and you'll hope that things end badly for him. And you might not care that his behavior could be partly attributed to the war. Jim's an asshole. No, this just isn't a movie I could like. Characters with whom it is impossible to identify. I like that the film goes its own way, but I didn't find my way to it. The story isn't even that interesting. (02/26/2014)

Ayer's attempt to be rough, impactful, and vulgar at all costs perhaps works initially. Then Bale’s style, however perfectly acted, in which he tries to emulate the style of Mexican gangsters, becomes significantly irritating. The problem stems from the director/writer, whose mix of street gangster and personal testimony of a war-scarred veteran shatters into an obnoxiously chatty and overwrought routine. Hands off this one, you'll have much more fun playing "GTA: San Andreas." It’s on the same level in terms of ideas and yet you'll be in the thick of it at will, not for an annoying two hours. (10/12/2007)

The story itself isn't great, and Ayer's direction isn't exactly bursting with ideas and character, but the film has one huge plus that elevates it from the grey of mediocrity, and that’s Christian Bale, of course. Something evil and mysterious lurks in his eyes, which from the very first moments will unsettle you and help you immerse in the otherwise bland plot. And Ayer manages to dose all that evil in the span of 110 minutes in such a way as to make everyone sit on their asses and watch. If you don't expect anything groundbreaking, harsh or deep in thought, you'll have a great time. (02/03/2013)