Josh Olson on Straight Time 

Right on the money - criminally over-looked film in a great decade for movie making. Utterly real and one of the best portrayals of criminal life, especially in that it plays it so honestly without the usual bells and whistles which often glorifies criminal behavior in lesser-though-more popular films. Hoffman definitely gives one of his best performances, but is aided by a first rate ensemble - Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton, M. Emmett Walsh, Kathy Bates and Therese Russell. A must see.

Saw this when released in '78. Went and saw it again the following week. Harry Dean Stanton gives an Oscar worthy performance,as well as Gary Busey. Amazing film.

Dustin Hoffman is basically unrecognizable in this role. There's times when I forget it's him and I go all young Al Pacino. A brilliant and compact film. Not a second if film is wasted. Hoffman is compelling as his life unravels. Harry Dean Stanton is brilliant also as his beleaguered side kick and Theresa Russell as his doomed lover is also hypnotically watchable. There us something about the California sun that makes the film all the more depressing. Easily Dustin's most overlooked role.

An incredible performance and an incredible movie that should be remembered as one of the classic '70s films. What's amazing about Hoffman's performance is that it's wholly non-comedic. That doesn't mean that he isn't humorous, but (as Albert Brooks describes his character in "Taxi Driver") he's humorous like a real person. Hoffman's role is one of the least showiest he ever had. And yet, it's just as compelling as his more memorable roles. I agree with Olson: the range that Hoffman displays here in comparison to his earlier work is remarkable.

One of my favorite films! Dustin Hoffman is the shit!

Two great lines: "Get me outta here!" and "Because I'm gonna get caught." A+

Hoffman was so absolutely fucking brilliant in this movie. One of my favourites.

I watched this movie for the first time two years ago. Very underrated, unbelievable score, one of my fav scores of all time. And it's written by and has Eddie Bunker, and everyone's all time fav Harry Dean Stanton. I love this film, it's amazing. And a young Kathy Bates and Gary Busey which nobody thought was real. They were born old and grissled I thought.

Great review...This film is so underrated and overlooked..People talk about films like Midnight cowboy The Graduate Tootsie Ect but I think this is up there..One if Hoffman's best performances

One of Hoffman's best performances. Sad it got overlooked.

I think it’s one of Hoffman's best roles. Brilliant movie.

I have my own copy of Straight Time. I watch it about 2 times a year...but I have to be emotionally ready. It's really intense. And who could go wrong with the co-stars. Hoffman went one step beyond the "anti-hero" to a total loser who has one redeeming moment at the end of the story. The music sets the mood perfectly. Gary Busey was a great pick for the stupid friend and Harry Dean Stanton is superb as Dustin's pal and old partner-in-crime. There is a look on his face as his character, Willie, is dying...his first glimpse of eternity, like the look on RFK's face in '68. I never realized what a good actor M. Emmet Walsh is/was until this film. What a wonderful slimeball of a parole officer...he deserved what he got in the car. Last but not least, Theresa Russell. She is so soft and beautiful. The Leo Kottke record she plays is a nice touch, a reminder of the time. Straight Time is some of the best of Dustin Hoffman's work. I will never tire of it.

I saw this recently on TCM. Dustin Hoffman is interesting in this picture, a kind of underrated gem .

Let's not forget another great Dustin Hoffman film, Little Big Man.

Launched the film career of Kathy Bates!

Hoffman is a legend, one of his best films.

I agree Dustin Hoffman taking on a mean mfing role even killing (well, I don't want to say who he kills in the movie) a well known actor who's played some hum dinger roles. Well, the ones who seen this movie know who I mean don't want to spoil it but Dustin Hoffman was superb in this movie.

One of my favorite movies!

I was watching Thunderbolt & Lightfoot ('74) last weekend and Busey was in that for a second.

Why doesn’t anyone ever mention that Kathy Bates also appeared in this film well before her career skyrocketed??

Hoffman is a tough guy, see that fighting scene he does on "family business " where he beats a butcher. He knows how to throw a blow

The great M. Emmet Walsh aka "Dr. Jellyfinger" in Fletch.

When is Dustin Hoffman ever bad? Even if the movie sucks Hoffman is usually rising above the mediocre material he's given. I have seen (nor ever see) the Focker movies but I'm sure he was really good. His performance in Little Big Man is still among my own favorites. His makeup in the beginning (done by the legendary Dick Smith) is stunning. The only movie of his I did not like is Rain Man which I found annoying for his own performance and Tom Cruise. Tootsie is still fun to watch.

"Scared the shit outta me..."

my favorite scene is where he needs a shotgun, and his source can't get it for him, so he breaks thru the wall of a store to steal one from a pawn shop or something, on the other side.

Try again. No way is Dustin Hoffman at all believable in this role, which is why this film is "overlooked". Hoffman ruins it. 🙋🙏