Straight Time (1978)
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100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
81% of users liked it
(1,692 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
- Directed By
- Ulu Grosbard
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Mar 18, 1978 Wide
- On DVD
- May 22, 2007
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Dustin Hoffman finally gave the unquestionably great performance everyone had been expecting from him. Unfortunately, few people saw it.
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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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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Dustin Hoffman
as Max Dembo
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Theresa Russell
as Jenny Mercer
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Gary Busey
as Willy Darin
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Harry Dean Stanton
as Jerry Schue
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M. Emmet Walsh
as Earl Frank
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Rita Taggart
as Carol Schue
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Kathy Bates
as Selma Darin
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Sandy Baron
as Manny
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Jacob Busey
as Henry Darin
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Edward Bunker
as Mickey
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James Ray
as Jewelry Store Manager
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Stuart I. Berton
as Salesman No. 1
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Barry Cahill
as Salesman No. 2
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Corey Rand
as Carlos
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Fran Ryan
as Cafe Owner
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Peter Jurasik
as Bank Teller
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Peter Kwong
as Grocery Clerk
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David Kelly
as Counter Man
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John Gilgreen
as Bank Guard
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Tina Menard
as Hotel Manager
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Betty Jane Howarth
as Employment Clerk
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Emily LaRue
as Girl
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John C. Colton
as 2nd Beach Boy