Harsh Times

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)

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)

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)

Christian Bale has been proving from the beginning that he is a character actor and that he fully immerses himself into his role. In this case, it means that we are watching a truly unpleasant person who will irritate you from the start, and you will hope that things will end badly for him. And you don't care that his behavior may be partially due to the war. He is a jerk. No, this simply isn't a film that I could like. Characters that are impossible to identify with. I like that the film goes its own way, but I couldn't find my way to it. Even the story itself isn't particularly interesting. (02/26/2014)

An excellent drama that got right to me. A fundamental role in this is played by Christian Bale who, scene after scene, constructs the complex and mentally unstable character of former ranger, Jim Davis. He can be a nice guy who you would risk anything for, but at the same time he can be uncompromising swine who would sell his own grandmother, while retaining his credibility. Ayer did a good job directing and, apart from the rather slow beginning, I have no complaints. And also Freddy Rodriguez was a huge surprise, managing to keep step with Bale, which deserves praise. As for the screenplay, its strongest weapon is atmosphere and a sarcastic view on the world. It simply sucks you in. A perfect story from L.A.’s underworld. (03/23/2007)