[shrinkboy]

over the weekend watched 'Harsh Times' with Christian Bale and Freddy Rodriquez-- nihilistic tale of Iraq vet Bale's return to civilian life and his dominant relationships with his Mexican fiance and his homey Freddy Rodriguez. they're a cupla good time homey dawgs knockin' their knuckles together and drivin' around east LA wasting time drinkin fawties and smokin' blunts, in the pretense of tryin to get jobs. eventually they do, but Bale gets crazier and crazier and eventually they bust some caps off in some peeps and shit gets real bad, dawg.

a few years ago, i would have admired this kind of dead end nihilism for its absolute commitment to withold redemption. but i now believe ya gotta pull something out of the cold fire or else, all you've got is a ninety minute diversion that almost is a story, but just doesn't quite get there. it was a first film for the director, bale executive produced, which may well mean he put his own $$ into it. good, harsh photography, great performances, and in particular by rodriguez, whom i love (anyone see Grindhouse?)....