Straight Time (1978)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(1,564 ratings)

Paroled criminal Max Dembo (Dustin Hoffman) is compelled to withstand the calculated cruelties of slimy parole officer Earl Frank (M. Emmet Walsh). The more Max tries to go straight, the more he is defeated by circumstance or hectored by the sadistic Frank. It becomes clear after a while that… More Paroled criminal Max Dembo (Dustin Hoffman) is compelled to withstand the calculated cruelties of slimy parole officer Earl Frank (M. Emmet Walsh). The more Max tries to go straight, the more he is defeated by circumstance or hectored by the sadistic Frank. It becomes clear after a while that neither Max nor his fellow ex-cons will be able to survive looking for legitimate work. Max is too "far gone" as a human being to succeed at anything other than crime. He goes back to his old thieving ways, inveigling reformed crook Jerry Schue (Harry Dean Stanton) into helping him. A climactic "big caper" goes tragically awry, thanks in great part to the tragic flaws in Max's personality. Based on a novel by Edward Bunker, Straight Time is possibly the most realistic cinematic probe into the sociopathic psyche of the career criminal. Famed theatrical director and instructor Ulu Grosbard directed, with an uncredited assist from star Hoffman; it was their second film together, after Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Ulu Grosbard
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 18, 1978 Wide
On DVD: May 22, 2007
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Dustin Hoffman finally gave the unquestionably great performance everyone had been expecting from him. Unfortunately, few people saw it.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Straight Time packs a punch--thanks to the intense and well-modulated performance by Dustin Hoffman.

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Featured Audience Ratings

El Hombre I

Based on a novel by Edward Bunker, Straight Time is possibly one of the most realistic cinematic probes into the sociopathic psyche of the career criminal. Great cast, strong script and solid direction by Ulu Grosbard. Not for a moment are you allowed to suspect that hoodlums might… More
Based on a novel by Edward Bunker, Straight Time is possibly one of the most realistic cinematic probes into the sociopathic psyche of the career criminal. Great cast, strong script and solid direction by Ulu Grosbard. Not for a moment are you allowed to suspect that hoodlums might be smart or attractive, or that crime pays. Thanks to mjgildea for recommending this, it may have stayed under the radar much longer. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=straighttime.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/straighttime.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Michael G

I watch a lot of movies and most of them are decent. A lot of the time I've got to convince myself that I didn't just waste a couple hours of my time or I'll have to dig for reasons as to why I liked a particular movie but whatever. But I'll endure long stretches… More
I watch a lot of movies and most of them are decent. A lot of the time I've got to convince myself that I didn't just waste a couple hours of my time or I'll have to dig for reasons as to why I liked a particular movie but whatever. But I'll endure long stretches of mediocrity because I know there are movies like Straight Time out there. I know there are obscure and unheard of gems that for one reason or another have been forgotten. This isn't to say Straight Time is a perfect movie. David Shire's hokey and dated score and a slow buildup work against it but this is easily one of Dustin Hoffman's best performances and the rest of the cast is nothing short of brilliant. Once Hoffman's character makes his choice to go back to a life of crime after the first hour, the story just creeps and creeps on you and doesn't let up. Written by Eddie Bunker (Mr. Blue from Reservoir Dogs), who spent much of his life in prison, this movie also gives what I'm guessing is a pretty accurate and definitely gritty portrayal of an ex-con's life. By the time it's over all you can do is as yourself why the hell you haven't seen it before or why Straight Time isn't as celebrated as it should be.
Pierluigi P

A hidden jewel that shows 70s gritty and raw cinematic power. Perfect Hoffman characterization of Max Dembo, a man who sees crime as the main engine of his existence.
Michael S

Superb, but sadly forgotten, character study.
jay n

dull ugly looking film
Danny R

A fascinating character study of a hardcore career criminal, Max Dembo, Dustin Hoffman in one of his finest and most underrated performances. Dembo is a loser who rationalizes his psychotic behavior by a thief's code of honor. After serving six years in prison he is release on… More
A fascinating character study of a hardcore career criminal, Max Dembo, Dustin Hoffman in one of his finest and most underrated performances. Dembo is a loser who rationalizes his psychotic behavior by a thief's code of honor. After serving six years in prison he is release on parole, he attempts to go straight, and get regular employment. But his ball-busting, slimy parole officer, played superbly by veteran character actor M. Emment Walsh, has driven him to the breaking point with his constant harassment, because of him Dembo soon ends up in jail again. When he gets out he takes revenge on the parole office by assaulting him and handcuffing him to a fence in the middle of a highway without his trousers.This begins his downward spiral back towards a life of crime. Well-directed by Ulu Grosbard with outstanding supporting performances by Theresa Russell, Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton, and Kathy Bates. An engrossing film. Highly Recommended.
Stephen E

This is not a film about a man moving up in the world of crime, but rather about his decline. The farther up he goes, the harder it is to go back down. Giving up begins to seem more and more futile, even if it means running for the rest of his life. There is a cast of fine… More
This is not a film about a man moving up in the world of crime, but rather about his decline. The farther up he goes, the harder it is to go back down. Giving up begins to seem more and more futile, even if it means running for the rest of his life. There is a cast of fine performances in "Straight Time", but the best acting comes from Hoffman, whose meticulous performance the film dwells upon. He manifests the character of Max better than any other actor imaginable, and not once does his acting ever falter.
matt s

The reason I enjoyed this flick so much, besides the fact that it's a heist flick, is Dustin Hoffman playing against type. Watching Hoffman go Pacino-crazy-like on his parole office is an added bonus. Good for an evening view. One of the underrated, or unheard of for me, rather,… More
The reason I enjoyed this flick so much, besides the fact that it's a heist flick, is Dustin Hoffman playing against type. Watching Hoffman go Pacino-crazy-like on his parole office is an added bonus. Good for an evening view. One of the underrated, or unheard of for me, rather, gems on netflix instant.
James B

Hoffman is stellar as usual in this somewhat forgotten gem from the late 70's. Excellent crime flick.
Patrick D

That's what I call a fucking movie. You Know. It's not "profoundly" directed, but it's directed right and adequate. There are shots in this film that are beautiful just because of how great they fit in, and stand out at the same time. I've never even… More
That's what I call a fucking movie. You Know. It's not "profoundly" directed, but it's directed right and adequate. There are shots in this film that are beautiful just because of how great they fit in, and stand out at the same time. I've never even heard of Uli Grosbard before, but I'd love to see more by him. The script also really gave something too. Making crime out to be like a drug. And just playing everything well. Let's of course not forget fucking Dustin Hoffman, who WAS Max Dembo, and really shows how talented he is as an actor. Do yourself and favor and see this, and love it.
Wu C

Interesting character study of career criminal 'Max Dembo'.