This movie is a blast to watch. Then again, I'm a sucker for the "bad influence" buddy films, wondering how far the more reasonable of the pair will slide into Hell. And what price will be paid by one or both. This movie is not a documentary by any means. It's a testosterone-fueled male fantasy. So, if you liked David Ayers' other LA barrio cop movie, Training Day, you'll probably be thoroughly entertained by this. That goes double if you like The Shield. There's even a crossover character, Letty, from Training Day. Having had a few booze-filled good times south of the border myself, way back in the day, this film brings back good memories. Laters.

HARSH TIMES is an engaging little character study of what it means for an ex-soldier to live with post-traumatic stress, all wrapped up in a jazzy thriller package that recalls the 'edgy' likes of TRAINING DAY and NARC. Indeed, this is a film masquerading to be something it's not, and I'll be the first to admit I didn't appreciate the 'look' of it very much: the supposedly realistic, gritty, on-the-street vibe has been done to death both in the movies and on TV and it's something I'm frankly tired of. Drugs, casual violence, profanity; it's all here and proving there's nothing new under the sun.The good thing about this movie is the quality of the cast, as headlined by Bale, Rodriguez, and Longoria. They're excellent. Bale once again delivers the goods as a messed-up soldier haunted by his violent past, and he gets to do some great emotional meltdown scenes. A young, fresh Rodriguez is the perfect foil, while Longoria adds a bit of class to the proceedings. I found the film's storyline to be somewhat meandering, and some scenes feel extraneous to the central plotting. But it all comes together in the last half-hour which proves to be gritty, edge-of-your-seat stuff; it really is impossible to predict what kind of catastrophe is going to happen. The emotional coda packs a real punch thanks to Bale's heartfelt turn, making this film better than it has any right to be.

This film came on Channel Four television a few weeks ago and I decided to record it (as it was on at 3am).When I sat down to watch it the next day I didn't expect much, as the film is not terribly well-known amongst people like myself who prefer arty type movies - but I soon found myself both riveted and transfixed by the magnificent acting by the central characters.Christian Bale delivers an outstanding performance as the psychiatrically challenged and disturbed Jim- who seamlessly changes personality from good time guy to evil sadistic killer. I was mesmerised by a character that normally I wouldn't have time for - and it was all down to the actor's stellar performance as a man coming to terms with life outside the military regime he had been used to; a man dealing with the complexities of a life in civvy street- where the answer is not to just blow it away with your gun on the order of your superior.I won't say any more than that: watch this gripping film and understand a little bit more how life in the military can make some ex servicemen unable to hold onto reality once they leave it.

I was really looking forward to watching this movie. I took the phone off the hook, dimmed the lights, had tasty treats and drinks close by and resolved myself to watch it in its entirety without any pauses. The thing is, I expected too much and got bored after thirty minutes of action-less tedium. Bales character 'Jim' is all snore instead of roar and reminded me of a small dog that never stops yapping, but of course is pretty harmless. The best acting is from Freddy Rodriguez 'Mike', who plays the subservient patsy to Bales' dominating and psychopathic war vet character. The terms' Yo Hommie' and 'Fuck Yeah' is comically overused and Bale is the one who looks miscast! This movie would have been better if more action had gone into the storyline, as it gets bogged down in domestic situations too often.Its far from Bales' best film and only deserves a five out of ten.