Harsh Times. Vidas al límite

La fuerza de la amistad entre dos hombres, holgazanes y vagabundos, que pasan el día en el coche, bebiendo, fumando y causando problemas. Uno es un veterano de guerra que sufre graves secuelas mentales de la guerra y lucha contra problemas de drogadicción, mientras que el otro es un constante luchador por un trabajo para satisfacer las expectativas de su ambiciosa novia. Esperaba una película completamente diferente, no leí el contenido, pensé que era un crudo thriller. Sin embargo, es un drama crudo con elementos psicológicos. Christian Bale ya no puede sorprenderme con nada, los personajes excéntricos, extraños y complicados están destinados a él. Eva Longoria probablemente nunca saldrá de la sombra de Gabrielle Solis como la gran mayoría de las estrellas de series de televisión, y aquí tampoco tiene mucho espacio. Rodrigo, el compañero de Bale, también ofreció una actuación simpática. En cuanto al contenido, "Drsný časy" no es particularmente rico, por el contrario, la trama avanza lentamente, casi la mitad de la película se desarrolla en el coche, con los dos protagonistas bajo la influencia del alcohol o la marihuana, o en las casas de sus "amigos" del mundo criminal. La segunda mitad de la película está marcada por la violencia, los insultos, los diálogos divertidos y la acción. La forma en que está filmada la película es sorprendente, especialmente las secuencias en las que el personaje de Christian Bale tiene "momentos oscuros" en los que no puede distinguir la realidad de la alucinación. Al igual que la escena final de tiroteo. Definitivamente considero que "Drsný časy" es una película interesante y no convencional. (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)

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)

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)