Straight Time

Play trailer

Straight Time

R

1978

1h 54m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

A career criminal, Max Dembo 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, and begins a romance with a sympathetic girl from the employment office, Jenny. But when Earl erroneously busts Jack for drug abuse, the ex-con cracks, assaulting Earl and setting off on a reckless crime spree.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

05/10/2017

There are authentic, gripping elements in the firm. An overwhelming starring performance could have unified those elements emotionally.

Go to Full Review

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

03/17/2023

10/10

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.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

10/02/2021

3.5/4

One of the most unflinching movies ever made about the criminal mindset.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

06/17/2021

4/4

...a slow-moving yet completely captivating character study...

Go to Full Review

Bernard Drew

Gannett News Service

11/01/2019

There is hardly a minute that convinces, a scene that really works.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

02/07/2018

B-

Message sending but uninvolving crime drama.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Blu B

@RT43513976 Oct 29

You know a film with both Harry Dean Stanton & Emmet Walsh is going to be good. Solid soundtrack but I wish it was more catchy on its own. Everything else though man is masterful. We watch Max build a life, find purpose, and have hope for him only to watch old habits return and whether it's his fault or not it's tragic and fasinating to watch hsi complete destruction in real time. You know it's not going to end well but you can't look away and it just makes it all the more tragic. Everyone should give this a try once. Hoffman is masteful here. It's a very visually heavy film also. All Time Classic.

See more

Cody S.

@cody073001 Sep 28

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!!!!

See more

Blobbo X

@Blobbo 11/29/2024

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.

See more

Bahad j

@RT27093708 07/11/2024

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.

See more

David K

@RT61474040 04/29/2024

Outstanding cast pulling off some of the best performances of their careers. Dreaded watching but glad I did. Dustin Hoffman has never been better.

See more

bill n

@RT11995746 01/08/2023

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.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

The Gauntlet

75%

54%

The Gauntlet

Watchlist

The Onion Field

87%

64%

The Onion Field

Watchlist

Body Heat

96%

81%

Body Heat

Watchlist

Hustle

50%

46%

Hustle

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hustle

The Laughing Policeman

59%

48%

The Laughing Policeman

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

A career criminal, Max Dembo 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, and begins a romance with a sympathetic girl from the employment office, Jenny. 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

Most Popular at Home Now