STRAIGHT TIME

US, 1977, 114 Minutes, Colour.
Dustin Hoffman, Theresa Russell, Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton.
Directed by Ulu Grosbard.

Dustin Hoffman's versatility gives substance to this well-written and very well-acted glimpse of a criminal. The tone is pessimistic - society punishes yet humiliates men (embodied by a self-justifying, authoritarian parole officer) and then is surprised at increasing crime. At first we sympathise with Hoffman, hoping for a future for him and quite involved in much human detail. As his robberies progress, well-staged and intensely real, a sense of hopelessness pervades our response as Hoffman moves further away from our sympathy. Harry Dean Stanton gives an excellent performance as a habitual thief, throwing light on Hoffman's portrayal of the enigmatic and alienated personality.

1. The significance of the title? The original novel was entitled No Beast SO Fierce. Significance of the alternate title for themes?

2. Colour, music? The documentary style tone of the film? The atmosphere of realism in contemporary America?

3. Where was audience sympathy for Max? At the beginning, as he moved through his rehabilitation period, his choice to be involved in crime, at the end? Max and his alienation from society, including audience sympathy? The significance of the final credits with their various photos and information about Max's boyhood and his being in institutions? A portrait of a contemporary criminal?

4. The social observation and criticism of the film as regards authority, the exercise of power? The repercussions of power and victimization and consequent anger? Audience sympathy for the authorities, especially the parole officer? Was Max’s reaction comprehensible?

5. Dustin Hoffman's style as Max? Sympathy for Hoffman in his portrayal? Entering the film with him and his experience of leaving prison, the bus ride, the walk around the city, the sense of freedom, the possibility of dreaming? How well communicated was the theme of freedom from imprisonment and the repercussions for a human being?

6. The parole officer and his stances? His putting himself forward as a friend, the harsher aspects of his behaviour and treatment, the games that he played with Max? The pressures that he put on him? The smile and the harsh face? The importance of his laying down the law? His seemingly being pleased with Max's arranging a job, apartment, etc.? His reaction to the discovery of the drug fix? His reaction to Max’s not informing him? The brutality of the arrest? Max's anger in the car and the dangerous driving on the highway? The repercussions for the parole officer and for Max of the angry moment as he left him on the highway with the handcuffs and humiliated him with his trousers down? Audience response to this situation and sharing Max’s reaction?

7. The portrait of Jenny? Her initial attitude towards Max, discovering that he had been working only a week? Her interest in him and sympathy? Their outings, especially the meal? Max's advances and her reaction? The payment of the meal? Her joy that he had the job? The possibility of a future? The significance of her visit to the gaol and the difficulties of talking and communicating? The telephone number? Why did she decide to live with Max? The repercussions for her, for him? Her being outside his criminal activities and not understanding but suspecting? The significance of the casing of the jewel shop and her reaction compared with Max's? Her decision to go and run with him? Her explanation earlier that she would not be able to go finally with him? The final drink in the cafe and his decision for her to go back? Was she a credible type of girl in contemporary America and in this situation?

8. Max and his rehabilitating himself and his being subservient to authority? The seeking out of the apartment and the landlady type? His revisiting Willy and Selma asking him to leave? The visit of Willy and running the risk of losing his parole? His work and the possibility for a future, with Jenny? His apologizing, taking humble attitudes and repressing his feelings and the eventual break-out?

9. The film spent a lot of time showing the details of arrest and the procedure after arrest. What impact did this have on the average audience? Sympathy for those imprisoned? The detail of life in the cell? His reaction to his release and the pressures put on him by the parole officer? The influence of these on his decision to run?

10. The portrait of Willy and Selma and their boy? Willy and his good nature? Selma and her wanting to build a marriage? Willy and his taking drugs in the apartment and the repercussions for Max?

11. The change of tone in the film when Max visited the bar and the various gangsters, made arrangements to get the gun, got the names for various accomplices?

12. Max's robberies and the way these were portrayed - realism, a touch of the comic? The store, the Chinese? The realization in the audience that Max was an habitual criminal?

13. The portrait of Gerry and his affluent way of life, his house and pool, wife? Yet his wanting to be involved in criminal activity? His warming to Max’s plans? The importance of the bank robbery and the way it was staged? The revelation that Max would take risks and Gerry would not? Their decision to rob the gamblers and the plot falling through and the tensions in each? The jewel shop and the pressures and Max's remaining? The reaction to Willy's having gone? Gerry's death? Max’s reaction to his death?

14. The involvement of Willy, his fear and his running away after professing that he would be loyal? His defence of himself to Max? The audience's reaction to Max's shooting him? What did this mean for Max after he gave the sign of friendship?

15. The finale of the film and the use of the conventions of the escape, hearing the information on the news, the final sequence with Jenny? Max and his deciding to go - an uncertain future, the inevitability of his being caught and gaoled? Was there any real future for Max?

16. The significance of the photos and their captions for the end of the film and what the audience was left with?

17. Max as a symbol of the criminal in contemporary society? The critique of society and its treatment of criminals? Of power, authority, cruelty? Of angers and the consequences of decisions on the spur of the moment?