Rent Straight Time (1978)

Underrated 70s Crime Film - Worth Rediscovering - Straight Time review by GI

An underrated 70s crime drama that fits into the wave of American films from this decade that challenged the myth of the 'American Dream'. A big influence on Quentin Tarantino (most especially seen in his debut feature, 1992s Reservoir Dogs) this was a pet project for Dustin Hoffman who was due to direct as well as star but handed the reins to Ulu Grosbard, a friend with whom he'd fall out during the troubled production. Partially scripted by an uncredited Michael Mann you can also see here the seeds of Mann's great crime films such as Thief (1981) and Heat (1995). Allegedly Hoffman wasn't allowed final cut and sued the studio so I'm not sure if the film on general release is his vision for the film or not. Hoffman plays Max Dembo, a career criminal released on parole after a six year stretch for burglary. He wants to go straight and live a normal life but quickly finds that the indifferent system is against him despite his best efforts. The system is represented by the slimy parole officer played by the great M. Emmet Walsh. Realising he's seen as worthless on the outside Max returns to a life of crime with his one chance of redemption with naive girlfriend, Jenny (Theresa Russell). An interesting film viewed today in its look at the life of the criminal and thematically identifying that society and the system is arguably what produces men such as Max. Hoffman gives his usual intense performance even though, on occasion, his screen charisma doesn't always seem to fit the hard man character of Max. Russell is excellent as the girl who takes a chance on max and Harry Dean Stanton and Gary Busey deliver great support. There's two great set piece robberies that Tarantino especially has homaged. A film worth rediscovering.