Christian Bale,
Freddy Rodriguez,
Eva Longoria,
Terry Crews,
Noel Guglielmi
... see more 
An unstable Gulf War veteran with a savior complex receives a shocking wake-up call upon returning stateside and accepting a position with the Department of Homeland Security in the directorial debut ... read more
Directed by: David Ayer
Release Date: November 10, 2006
Keywords:
action,
intense,
buddy,
media,
christian bale,
training day,
freddy rodriguez,
harsh times,
Christian Bale ,
Freddy Rodriguez ,
Training Day ,
Harsh Times
DVD Release Date: March 13, 2007
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Stats: 4,366 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (4,366)
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March 10, 2012I was excited to watch Harsh Times cause 1) They had Christian Bale 2) Gritty crime drama Wow.. this movie was crap. The plot was one of the most dull plots to have ever existed; it starts to take off literally in the last 30 minutes. Poorly directed, edited, and shot. The screen... read more
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September 18, 2011This film just didn't capture me, but it might be a hit for you, a out of control ex gulf war veteran returns home to find a job in law enforcement and he just can't control his anger. only worth 2 1/2 stars from me.
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June 24, 2011It was quite a good film, it takes a while to really get into but when Christian Bale's character starts to lose the plot you become a little more intrigued with the film. All in all, it was an average film.
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May 31, 2011Not my favorite Christian Bale movie, that's for sure. Bale goes way over the top playing an unlikeable, obnoxious, arrogant, self destructive idiot. All the characters here are mostly unlikeable to a degree that I almost didn't care to watch. I followed this through to the bitte... read more
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April 9, 2011This film does feel like it's on auto pilot for a lot of the time. The first 3/4 of the film are just a couple of days in the life of a couple of friends, just slacking and chilling out. Then things get worse as Christian Bale's character starts to lose the plot!
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January 21, 2011A Gulf war veteran and "homie" cruise the streets of L.A. on the pretext of looking for work getting wasted and dabbling in street crime. Harsh Times sounds like the kind of gritty urban crime drama in the vein of Narc or Training Day, but it is in fact a rather aimless movie tha... read more
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November 20, 2009Christian Bale gave a truly amazing performance that was both hilarious and shocking. The style of the movie captures a great urban atmosphere. The story is an interesting look at post-war soldiers and the emotional blows that it brings.
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July 18, 2009I was really expecting so much more with this film, the posters, title and whole look gives you a certain feeling about how its gonna go, but its very disappointing and dull. There are some nice scenes but it needs so much more.
Bale is good as the ex army boy wanting to join th... read more -
July 4, 2009"(whispering) I see dumb people..."
15 minutes into the movie and I'm like; What the fuck! Who are these guys? They're all gangsta and shit but so fuckin' ridiculous.
I hate the word "dawg". That word is probably said more times then any other word. The dialogue that comes ... read more -
January 2, 2009this film enters into a world of dope smoking, beer drinking manness, where charactors act according to some unwritten code that they themselves either don't understand or chafe against.
At the center is the storm - Christian Bale portrays an ex delta force guy who is trying to... read more
Critic Reviews
November 15, 2006
Rex Reed, New York Observer
November 13, 2006
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Jim is such a psycho and Mike is such a patsy, we don't care about these guys. We've seen dozens of more interesting head cases in dozens of smarter films. Full Review
November 10, 2006
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Harsh Times is so into its own nihilism, it sometimes forgets the humanity beneath the hurt. Full Review
November 10, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Endless scenes of the two guys riding along, venting and cursing and chugging beers play like acting-class exercises, badly written ones at that. Full Review
November 10, 2006
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
For a neophyte director, Ayer displays a lot of style. Full Review
November 10, 2006
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
...As well-written and acted as Harsh Times may be, you will be relieved when the adrenaline returns to an acceptable level. Full Review
November 10, 2006
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
It's true that we don't need to like characters for a movie to work. We should, however, at least find them interesting. Full Review
November 10, 2006
Stephen Holden, New York Times
The film builds to a melodramatic finale that would like to make you weep, but by then it has worn out your patience.
November 10, 2006
Kyle Smith, New York Post
Ayer's writing is loaded with wit and malice.
November 10, 2006
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Though Bale has the presence of a young De Niro, and the same volatile edge, he's being asked here to fill out a role that doesn't ring true on any level. Full Review
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Harsh Times
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