Harsh Times - Leben am Limit

Die Macht der Freundschaft zweier Männer, Tagediebe und Nichtstuer, die den ganzen Tag nur im Auto die Stadt umfahren, rauchen und Unordnung stiften. Einer ist ein Kriegsveteran, der schwere psychische Folgen des Krieges mit sich herumschleppt und Drogenprobleme hat, der ist stets auf Jobsuche, um den Ansprüchen seiner ambitionierten Freundin gerecht zu werden. Ich habe einen völlig anderen Film erwartet, habe den Inhalt nicht gelesen, ich dachte, es handele sich um einen knallharten Krimi. Allerdings ist es ein rohes Drama mit psychologischen Elementen. Christian Bale kann mich durch nichts mehr überraschen, für ihn sind verrückte, seltsame und komplizierte Figuren vorbestimmt. Eva Longoria wird wohl nie aus dem Schatten von Gabrielle Solis treten, so wie die meisten Serienschauspieler, hier hat sie überdies auch nicht viel Raum bekommen. Eine sympathische Leistung zeigte auch Bales Partner Rodriguez. Inhaltlich ist Harsh Times - Leben am Limit - Leben am Limit nicht besonders reichhaltig, im Gegenteil, die Handlung fließt eher langsam dahin, etwa die Hälfte des Films spielt sich im Auto, wo beide Helden unter dem Einfluss von Alkohol oder Marihuana stehen, oder in den Häusern ihrer "Kumpel“ aus der Halbwelt ab. Die zweite Hälfte des Filmes steht im Zeichen von Gewalt, Beschimpfungen, witzigen Sprüchen und Action. Die Art, in der der Film gedreht wurde, umso bemerkenswerter, vor allem die Sequenzen, wo die Figur des Christian Bale "dunkle“ Momente hat, in denen er nicht unterscheiden kann, was Tatsache und was Halluziation ist. Genauso wie die letzte Szene der Schießerei. Ganz sicher ist Harsh Times - Leben am Limit - Leben am Limit für mich ein interessanter und kein alltäglicher Film. (23.07.2008)

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. (23.03.2007)

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. (12.10.2007)

Harsh Times has a huge advantage in its main character, who has such potential that it is a pity that an eight-part series did not come into being, which would further develop the story of the main character and his twisted motivation and fulfill the genre's possibilities. The problem is that the viewer is enticed by interesting characters and feels that a great crime drama is unfolding, only to find out that instead of a suspenseful crime story, they are watching a psychological drama with an ambiguous and unfinished ending. In this case, the main character's journey toward self-destruction is more important than the point and plot. Armed forces, from the police to the army and various private security services, will try to convince you of the perfection of their methods of recruiting new members and that failures are rare. However, here you can see the completely believable rise of a unique psychopath and his successful infiltration into the police force. Jim Davis is a completely realistic villain, whose motivations and actions you tend to believe in, especially when played by the professional Christian Bale. Overall impression: 75%. (16.07.2012)

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... (19.02.2008)