Hard Times (1975) **** (out of 4)Criminally underrated gem set in Louisiana during the Depression. A hustler named Speed (James Coburn) strikes gold when he meets bare- fist fighter Chaney (Charles Bronson). The two strike up a business relationship as the loner Chaney tries to woo a lady (Jill Ireland) but it doesn't take long for Speed to run into some crime people that he owes money.HARD TIMES is a pretty unique gem that came out of nowhere and quickly became a modest hit, got some good reviews and remained a favorite to fans of the cast. With that said, Walter Hill's film has never really gotten the credit it deserved because it really is one of the best films of its type and features two terrific performances by the leads. Yes, both leads played this type of characters before and yes there were many films set during the Depression but everything here just rings so fresh and original with the cast really taking their familiar roles and making them seem fresh and new.There are so many things that make this film so memorable but one is the perfect setting and atmosphere created by Hill. You really do feel these characters and the setting that they are trapped in. The Louisiana settings are just perfect to look at and they really become a character themselves as they're so important to building up the other characters. The music score is extremely good, the cinematography perfectly captures everything and there's no question that Hill handles the screenplay without any problems.Then, there's Bronson and Coburn. Both actors were used to playing these type of roles but they go beyond anything they had previously done. Bronson can play quiet perfectly and I think this is something that gets overlooked. It's not easy being quiet and managing to still handle scenes but he does it without a problem. That quiet nature perfectly fits the character and everything you need to know the actor tells you with his eyes. Coburn is fiery, feisty and constantly talking and he does it with ease. The chemistry between the two is terrific. Ireland turns in what is probably her best performance and we get nice support from the likes of Strother Martin, Bruce Glover and Margaret Blye. Why has HARD TIMES been overlooked all these years? Perhaps it's due to Bronson's 80s movies where he became known as an exploitation star. I don't know but the film is certainly one of the best of its type of manages to be a true gem.

If you were born after 1970, the success of Charles Bronson could possibly be something of a mystery to you. He came up the hard way, playing character parts in TV series and heavies in movies. He even played an Indian. Somewhere along the way, the public took a shine to Bronson (especially in the oddball DEATH WISH movies, most of which were so badly made, they simply don't stand the test of time) and, typical of the soft spoken man, he supplied the star power for a handful of very unusual pictures. Of his entire body of work, this film is not only his best performance -- ever -- but also one of the best fight films ever constructed AND THAT INCLUDES ALL THE MARTIAL ARTS FILMS from overseas. First the part was practically written for him (and indeed may well have been). A taciturn, older, well-muscled individual who picks up cash in the depression by street fighting. The gag (and in this film the gag works and works and works) is that he looks like someone's father, not like a boxer. Until of course he take off his shirt. Coburn played himself, which, to be fair was not a bad thing. Jill Ireland (Bronson's actual wife, and he INSISTED she appear in each of his films, whether she fitted in or not!) is, as always, completely forgettable. The script was years ahead of its time. The writer understood something that even today's fight films have overlooked -- structure the fights, layer the opponents, so the audience can go along for the ride and actually see the action as reasonable and logical. A classic. A must see.

Down-on-his-luck during the Great Depression, moody and muscular Charles Bronson (as Chaney) hooks up with street fight promoter James Coburn (as Spencer "Speed" Weed). The pair settle in the New Orleans area, where Mr. Bronson beats up men up for bigger and bigger bucks. Naturally, this attracts problems with underworld types. Artfully directed by Walter Hill, "Hard Times" was the Bronson film critics picked to elevate, after witnessing his 1970s super-stardom. The 1930s setting is represented by old cars and articles of clothing. Made up like a mannequin, Jill Ireland (as Lucy Simpson) looks out of place. Bronson in his squalid apartment appears most like the Depression, but the effect is more genuinely achieved with atmosphere and acting. In some cases all the latter has to work with is the former. Main villain Michael McGuire (as Chick Gandil) first impressed as the sinister "Head of Judah Zachery" on "Dark Shadows" (1970) and hopped-up Strother Martin (as Poe) of "Cool Hand Luke" (1967) has one of the best movie voices, ever.****** Hard Times (9/4/75) Walter Hill ~ Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Michael McGuire, Strother Martin

Footloose Bronson hooks up with gambler Coburn in a series of no-holds-barred slug fests in 1933 New Orleans.Richly colorful movie showing seamiest side of the seamy Depression. Street fighter Chaney (Bronson) speaks with fists instead of his tongue (hope they weren't paying him by the word). My gosh, Bronson's 50-something, but's got the torso of a 20-year old. He's convincing as heck as a slugger with a pile-driver punch. Meanwhile, Coburn plays his fast-talking promoter Speed, and he better be speedy to stay one step of the guys he owes money to. I love the staging in this film. Talk about junkyard dogs, that's where the fights appear staged, in one junkyard after another. It's also a blood lust fight crowd at its noisiest. Throughout, Chaney remains as enigmatic as a Chinese box puzzle. He comes from nowhere and seems to care less where he's going. You never know what he's thinking, what with that deadpan expression and wordless mouth. He's his own man to say the least-- a free spirit, as Lucy (Ireland) ruefully finds out. At least we know he likes stray cats since he's pretty much one himself. Coburn's got all the lines, and suits the slick-talking gambler to the proverbial 'T'. But surprise, surprise, for me—Strother Martin (Poe) has a sympathetic role for a change as a trustworthy associate. No doubt about it, this is a man's picture and about the worst 'date movie' I can think of, unless she likes bare male torsos. But it's also one heckuva gritty Bronson flick.