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Love the Hard Way

Play trailer Poster for Love the Hard Way R 2003 1h 50m Drama Romance Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
28% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
An unlikely romance develops when strait-laced Columbia University student Claire Harrison (Charlotte Ayanna) falls for Jack Grace (Adrien Brody), a handsome aspiring writer who blackmails businessmen for money with his partner, Charlie (Jon Seda). One day, after his con goes wrong and Jack finds himself targeted by the police, he's forced to abruptly abandon his relationship with Claire. Devastated by Jack's absence, Claire begins a dangerous downward spiral.
Love the Hard Way

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Love the Hard Way pits an intriguing ensemble against a cliché-riddled storyline, and the actors lose -- along with the audience.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 07/02/2022
This 2001 drama never grows roots deep enough to feel completely authentic. Go to Full Review John Monaghan Detroit Free Press 09/20/2003
2/4
Feels like it was crafted by an outsider, with the cliche-filled dialogue reading like a rough translation. Go to Full Review Richard Nilsen Arizona Republic 09/12/2003
3/5
One of those films where great acting and occasionally brilliant dialogue attempt to overcome an unbelievable plot and a cowardly Hollywood ending. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 10/16/2005
3/5
Paul Sherman Boston Herald 07/16/2005
2/4
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 08/15/2004
C
To say the love story was hard to believe, is putting it mildly--it was impossible to fathom. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Amanda L 12/14/2024 Adrien Brody’s fallen angel energy is well matched by the smoldering essence of Charlotte Ayanna in this oh-so-very indie film. And while the dialogue is somewhat stylized, the story itself will be raw and believable to those who have known and loved the self-sabotaging type, or met him in the mirror. Points added for some interesting editing that plays with sequencing, almost conveying a sense of precognition in pivotal moments. See more 04/06/2018 I absolutely loved this movie See more 10/19/2012 one of my favorte movies. but i wont deny. its horrible. See more 10/06/2012 i like Adrien's acting, but this movie just didn't fit him. See more 06/18/2012 one of my favorte movies. but i wont deny. its horrible. See more 10/11/2011 Gritty and weirdly real and unreal at the same time. Brody's character and his desperation to connect with others (and his inability to do this in a non-douchey way) is actually really lovely and delicately done. His performance is very cool. The film kind of goes off the deep end, but I can appreciate the unconventionality of it. SIDENOTE: Is this really what it looked like in 2003? Because that shit looks like it was shot in the 90's... See more Read all reviews
Love the Hard Way

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Sehr

Director

Adrien Brody

Jack

Charlotte Ayanna

Claire

Jon Seda

Charlie

August Diehl

Jeff

Pam Grier

Detective Linda Fox

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Love the Hard Way

Adrien Brody as Jack (left) and Pam Grier as Detective Linda Fox (right) Adrien Brody as Jack (left) and Charlotte Ayanna as Claire (right) Director Peter Sehr (left) and Director of Photography Guy Dufaux (right) Charlotte Ayanna as Claire Adrien Brody as Jack Charlotte Ayanna as Claire (left) and Liza Jessie Peterson as Pamela Adrien Brody as Jack Pam Grier as Detective Linda Fox (left), Adrien Brody as Charlie (Middle) and unidentified cop (extra). August Diehl as Jeff Adrien Brody as Jack (left) and Charlotte Ayanna as Claire (right) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis An unlikely romance develops when strait-laced Columbia University student Claire Harrison (Charlotte Ayanna) falls for Jack Grace (Adrien Brody), a handsome aspiring writer who blackmails businessmen for money with his partner, Charlie (Jon Seda). One day, after his con goes wrong and Jack finds himself targeted by the police, he's forced to abruptly abandon his relationship with Claire. Devastated by Jack's absence, Claire begins a dangerous downward spiral.
Director
Peter Sehr
Producer
Wolfram Tiehy
Screenwriter
Marie Noelle, Peter Sehr
Distributor
Kino Pictures
Production Co
P'Artisan Filmproduktion GmbH [de], Open City Films, Vif Filmproduktion GmbH [de], Daybreak Pictures Ltd. [us], TiMe Film- und TV-Produktions GmbH [de]
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, Romance, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 6, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$43.6K
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround