Hard Times Reviews

One of Bronson's best pictures, HARD TIMES is a different kind of boxing yarn. Bronson plays an itinerant bare-knuckle street fighter in the 1930s who makes his living beating the brains out of those foolish enough to think they can take the graying tough guy. (Clint Eastwood played a similar part in EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE and ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN.) Coburn is the New Orleans promoter who arranges illegal bouts for Bronson, and Ireland (Bronson's real-life wife) has a fling with the fighter. Bronson was 54 but in excellent condition when he made this picture, and his performance is low-key and convincing. Unfortunately, the script leaves something to be desired--namely, dramatic impetus. Yet HARD TIMES is still an enjoyable film, and the depression-era settings are painstakingly captured.