Rating: 
Summary: I will read some "Moby Dick," and afterward, "The Cantos"
Review: "Love the Hard Way" was such a disappointment for me. I thought Adrien Brody was so cool and intellectual when I saw him perform in Polanski's "The Pianist." In this film, we will say, he was not the coolest, nor intellectual. His character was totally over-dramatized; playing the "poor orphan who had to live the life of crime and poverty." I mean, you should have seen his gangster posture when he was riding in his car! Really cool... I also like the fake snakeskin jacket and "hot shades" (an actual quote from the movie) that he wears in every scene. The casting, I thought, was also pretty weak. The female lead was an absolutely awful decision opposite Brody, or anyone else, for that matter. She was vastly and unentertainingly annoying and stupid. Brody wasn't perfect, either, though I did like his sidekick--the savior of the film. The problem with "Love to Hard Way" wasn't even so much the awful writing, but the editing. The director seemed pretty venturous and creative--it was directed well, I'm saying. The beginning was good, because you aren't used to Brody's oddness and humorousness yet (I laughed basically every time he opened his mouth), but the middle was so awful I thought I would turn it off instead of finishing it. The end, however, was very good. This was because Brody stopped being nonchalant and indifferent and was being dramatic and sad (his acting was great in the scene where he was listening in the bathroom to his girlfriend and some other guy). "Hey, Adrien, don't do anymore movies like this! Stick to the role of the washed-out Polish pianist stuck in the middle of the Holocaust. If not many roles like that come your way, stay away from the cool guy. I'm sorry, you're not a believable cool guy. Or, at least, with this type of writing you are not the cool guy." The film should have been pared down significantly. The female lead should have been replaced. Adrien Brody, when talking to the book dealer, should not have asked for Herman Melville and Ezra Pound, together. I know he is clandestinely a writer and all, but still, these two lumped together make no sense! Brody and his girlfriend should not solve all problems by her ripping her shirt off. His girlfriend's friend was also incredibly annoying--they should have given her the cut as well. The mock conversation between the female lead and the "Pulitzer people" (Brody, posing as, moronically) should have DEFINITELY been cut. Brody's character should not have stalked and followed the girl around everywhere conspicuously (mind you) after he had told her to "take a hike." I actually compared, while watching the movie, to "Gigli!" That's saying a lot. I think it is better than "Gigli," though, because it could be so much better. Ben Affleck's role in "Gigli" was similar to Brody's role, but Brody is a better actor and a more likable guy. "Love the Hard Way" could have been ten times the film if it had been critically revised and modified. I just wish the writers in Hollywood would send these types of films to me! I could tell them what was wrong with it, they could change it, and instead of a film that could have been good but wasn't at all, we could have a decent film.
Rating: 
Summary: Yup, That's the Hard Way All Right
Review: Claire (Charlotte Ayanna) is a studious college student pursuing a degree in biology at a prestigious university. Jack (Adrien Brody) is a thief and con artist with a creative m.o. They come from two very different cultures and have disparate personalities. Yet, when they meet, they are immediately attracted to one another. Claire is drawn to Jack's scumminess and becomes infatuated with him. And although Jack tells himself that his attraction to Claire is purely physical, that may not be the whole story. When Claire's intense feelings begin to make him uncomfortable, Jack dumps her. Claire's devastation sends her on a self-destructive binge, and Jack, who feels responsible, follows suit. "Love the Hard Way" was inspired by a Chinese novel, the production is European, and it was filmed in New York City with a mostly American cast. Although the film has a strong sense of taking place in a certain location among a particular sub-culture, the story is surprisingly universal. An emotionally distant man discovers, the hard way, that love may be what he seeks after all. And a caring but naive woman discovers that her life may be found in the world outside her sheltered environment. The performances in "Love the Hard Way" are all admirable. Adrien Brody fans will want to see this one. He is especially good here. Pam Grier is a welcome addition to the cast in a small role as a police detective. "Love the Hard Way" was shot in just over a month on a relatively small budget. But the film looks great and the attention to detail is commendable. Writer/director Peter Sehr, producer Wolfram Tichy, cinematographer Guy Dufaux, and Christian Nauheimer, the film's editor, have all done an excellent job of pulling off a very good film that looks very good with limited resources. Recommended if you like character dramas or offbeat, somewhat hard-boiled, love stories. The DVD: The bonus features include a "making of" documentary, deleted scenes, a theatrical trailer, and a gallery of still photographs. If you have the time, I recommend the documentary. It's badly edited, too long (1 hour) and too repetitive, but it's interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: wild at heart
Review: Fans of Adrien Brody will love this, just the sight of him slinking down the street in that cool snakeskin jacket like the one Nicolas Cage wore in 'Wild at heart' is worth it. Too cool. The grifter/poet/troubled grungy street character suits Brody to a B, plus there are some really hot scenes with Charlotte Ayanna. Good acting all round, interesting characters, story, altogether a very watchable movie with edgy street atmosphere and a cool hip-hop soundtrack.
Rating: 
Summary: I liked it...
Review: I caught this flick by coincidence one late night, on cable. I got drawn in because of the love story. This college girl falls in love with Jack because she can see that there is a warm caring guy underneath all the grit.
Some of the other reviews stated that it was unbelievable for any one like Claire, to sink to the levels she did. Being young and in love can make you do the unthinkable, like giving up your own identity, and losing your self respect/worth. I am not saying that its a healthy choice to lower your standards, but when you are immature and in love, crazy behavior can happen. I loved the movie, it was incredible!
Rating:
Summary: I liked it...
Review: I caught this flick by coincidence one late night, on cable. I got drawn in because of the love story. This college girl falls in love with Jack because she can see that there is a warm caring guy underneath all the grit.
Some of the other reviews stated that it was unbelievable for any one like Claire, to sink to the levels she did. Being young and in love can make you do the unthinkable, like giving up your own identity, and losing your self respect/worth. I am not saying that its a healthy choice to lower your standards, but when you are immature and in love, crazy behavior can happen. I loved the movie, it was incredible!
Rating:
Summary: a hidden gem
Review: I happened upon this movie at my local Blockbuster in the previously viewed DVD section. I saw Brody's work in "Ten Benny" and enjoyed that movie. I haven't seen "The Pianist" and I am reluctant to do so because it has all the trappings of a pseudo intellectual "art house" favorite. You know the kind that generates "buzz" in all the right circles, compelling those who want to be in the in crowd to see it and hurl all the film-scholl inspired adjectives they can muster at it. Before you know it people standing in line at Target who don't know the difference between f-stop and f-troop are hailing it as a moody, intense work of art. Then you go see it and you wonder what the heck all the fuss was about....."Memento" springs to mind as well. This movie is different. If you go in not expecting much, and having never heard of it, I expected nothing then it's hard to be disappointed. Okay, you may not be able to toss the title or selected quotes from the movie around amongst those you'd like to impress, but who cares? Movies are art, and art is subjective. You've seen countless plot summaries in this forum so I will spare you my interpretation. I think that this is a great little movie. It doesn't aspire to change the world. It offers a glimpse into the underbelly of society, and the people who inhabit it, visit it and police it. I think Adrien Brody is great in this as is Jon Seda. Charlotte Ayanna has been getting a bad rap here but I think those reviewers miss the point of her role. She's playing a young naive, sheltered woman. That may indeed come off as annoying to some but that is her character also. I feel despite her naivete she knows that there is a softer Jack below the surface and will do anything to reach him, even to her own detriment. Hats off to Ms. Ayanna! I think she did wonderfully. Pam Grier is great as the detective out to get Jack and his crew. I loved this movie and can't think of a better way to escape for 104 minutes than to watch this movie. The bonus feature documentary is great too, if a little long. It's also rather amusing to see them refer to this as a "low budget" project in the voice over as you see the massive crew and ridiculous amounts of set-up they are undertaking with each scene. I guess "low budget" is a relative term depending on the depths of one's pockets. This film is wonderfully lit and shot, however. It has a gritty feel that matches the urban setting perfectly. The hip hop soundtrack helps reinforce the "we on the wrong side of the tracks now" vibe... BUY THIS MOVIE!! You won't be dissapointed!
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!!!
Review: I loved this movie!!! I just saw it last night and I could stop watching!!! I love movies where theres a tough guy who falls for the good girl!!! Jack and Claire were an amazing couple who were truely in love with each other, even though their relationship wasn't healthy, they were in love!!! The acting was great and I've know girls like Claire and boys like Jack, so I've seen what can happen to both people in that situation!!! Although it hit close to home I can't wait to see it again!!!
Rating:
Summary: If you have lived in a bubble... forget understanding this..
Review: I loved this movie. I did not even care for Adrien Brody as an actor before this, now I see what all the talk is about. You have to admire any artist who is willing to perform in roles that appear "beneath" them or contra status quo.
The film is presented with interesting blends of scene sequencing at pivotal moments and the soundtrack is incredible.
The real appreciation of this film is going to come from those of us who have lived in Claire's world and had a lover from Jack's or vice versa. I am not sure those who have not experienced the overwhelming, heady and surreal experience of lust/love- all or none- will value the human love psychology this film captures. Every detail is not explained because people are not logical. The beauty of the film is that it shows people are irrational when it comes to attraction, emotions and love.
For the person who gave this film two stars, they were out of their league on this one. I am a young person in college. I would never try to do a movie review on something like Cocoon or Something's Gotta Give. I am not an old person...yet, so I wouldn't consider myself qualified. Don't criticize what you don't know or understand.
Claire's decisions and actions towards Jack appear very reasonable- if you have ever experienced pure and intense love.
Rating:
Summary: Unusually Entertaining-
Review: I saw the trailer for Love the Hard Way and I just recently rented and watched it. I really liked the film style of when Claire and Jack make love and when she catches him cheating. (...) I must have re-watched them about 6 times by now... The film was entertaining, but they left a lot of questions unanswered, like about Jack's past, where the hell was Claire living and how did she always seem to end up at Jacks place, etc. Plus the movie was pretty believable up until the whole Claire prostitution and suicide phase, then it started gettin wacky all over again- Overall i think it was worth seeing and i enjoyed it a lot.
Rating:
Summary: Strikes A Nerve
Review: I too caught parts of this movie on cable recently, and had to rush out to rent it. Jack and Claire's love story gone wrong struck a nerve with me and had me wondering if they would finally find their way back together. Although the dialogue could have been a little fresher, particularly when Jack first started hitting on Claire, I wholly disagree with other reviewers who felt that Claire's motivations should have been fleshed out. This is a thinking-person's movie, plain and simple. The acting was very charismatic, no need to repeat how brilliant Adrien Brody is. I've seen Jon Seda's work on the TV show Homicide and have admired his talent for some time. I wish his character could have been developed a little further. August Diehl as Jeff was a little creepy, but cool. All in all, this movie was a hauntingly refreshing retreat from Hollywood cookie-cutter romantic flicks. At last a film where you're not sure if the leads will ride off together into the sunset.
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