Straight Time

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Straight Time

R

Released Mar 18, 1978

1h 54m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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

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Cody S.

This movie was phenomenal. As someone who gets carried away gambling at times, seeing Hoffman’s character having that “it’s never enough” mindset is just so gut wrenching for me to watch, but in the best way possible. This movie felt so real. They acted as nervous and scared and greedy as any normal thief would, which makes the characters so relatable. What an awesome movie!!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/25

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Blobbo X

Worth seeing for one of better movie revenge scenes where Hoffman gets back at E Emmett Walsh. Highly original. Rest dated, sometimes silly, but watchable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

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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

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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

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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

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Ulu Grosbard

Director

Dustin Hoffman

Max Dembo

Theresa Russell

Jenny Mercer

Gary Busey

Willy Darin

Harry Dean Stanton

Jerry Schue

M. Emmet Walsh

Earl Frank

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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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