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Straight Time

Play trailer Poster for Straight Time R Released Mar 18, 1978 1h 54m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A career criminal, Max Dembo (Dustin Hoffman) is determined to go straight after his latest stint in prison. He takes a mindless job in a cannery, patiently endures the abuse of his pompous parole officer, Earl (M. Emmet Walsh), and begins a romance with a sympathetic girl from the employment office, Jenny (Theresa Russell). But when Earl erroneously busts Jack for drug abuse, the ex-con cracks, assaulting Earl and setting off on a reckless crime spree.
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Straight Time

Critics Reviews

View All (11) Critics Reviews
Gary Arnold Washington Post There are authentic, gripping elements in the firm. An overwhelming starring performance could have unified those elements emotionally. May 10, 2017 Full Review Mitchell Beaupre Paste Magazine Hoffman’s gives a remarkably grounded portrayal which feels like a shift after a decade of excellent performances that were more in the realm of nervy, enigmatic, capital-C characters. Here he’s just this guy, an ordinary man trying to make it. Rated: 10/10 Mar 17, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy One of the most unflinching movies ever made about the criminal mindset. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 2, 2021 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a slow-moving yet completely captivating character study... Rated: 4/4 Jun 17, 2021 Full Review Bernard Drew Gannett News Service There is hardly a minute that convinces, a scene that really works. Nov 1, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Message sending but uninvolving crime drama. Rated: B- Feb 7, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (179) audience reviews
Bahad j It was a really good movie. Very instructive. I really liked it. I will watch it again later.Also, I really like the small details of the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/11/24 Full Review David K Outstanding cast pulling off some of the best performances of their careers. Dreaded watching but glad I did. Dustin Hoffman has never been better. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/29/24 Full Review StephenPaul C The most criminal 01 hour: and 54 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Dustin Hoffman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/15/23 Full Review Brian N I liked the basic story of the movie….but I didn't believe for a second Jenny would fall for Max, it's totally absurd. The rest of the movie is great though. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review bill n Movie was made in 77/1978 please don' let the production date deter from this good movie that has stood the test of time...standout performances from Theresa Russell and Dustin. very glad i came across Straight Time and watched it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Shioka O Harmless crime film, not quite entertaining. Solid performance. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/13/22 Full Review Read all reviews
Straight Time

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A career criminal, Max Dembo (Dustin Hoffman) is determined to go straight after his latest stint in prison. He takes a mindless job in a cannery, patiently endures the abuse of his pompous parole officer, Earl (M. Emmet Walsh), and begins a romance with a sympathetic girl from the employment office, Jenny (Theresa Russell). But when Earl erroneously busts Jack for drug abuse, the ex-con cracks, assaulting Earl and setting off on a reckless crime spree.
Director
Ulu Grosbard
Producer
Stanley Beck, Dustin Hoffman, Tim Zinnemann
Screenwriter
Jeffrey Boam, Edward Bunker, Nancy Dowd, Michael Gutmann, Alvin Sargent
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
First Artists
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 54m
Sound Mix
Mono
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