Straight Time

views updated

Straight Time ★★★ 1978 (R)

Ex-con Hoffman hits the streets for the first time in six years and finds himself again falling into a life of crime. Well-told, sobering story flopped at the boxoffice and has never received the recognition it deserved. Convincing, realistic portrayal of a criminal. Hoffman was the original director, but gave the reins to Grosbard. Based on the novel “No Beast So Fierce” by Edward Bunker. 114m/C VHS, DVD . Dustin Hoffman, Harry Dean Stanton, Gary Busey, Theresa Russell, M. Emmet Walsh, Kathy Bates, Edward (Eddie) Bunker; D: Ulu Grosbard; W: Jeffrey Boam, Alvin Sargent, Edward (Eddie) Bunker; C: Owen Roizman; M: David Shire.