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Love the Hard Way
Kino International


7.8

based on 20 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 17 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

MPAA RATING: Not Rated

Starring Adrien Brody, Charlotte Ayanna, Jon Seda, August Diehl, Pam Grier, and Katherine Moennig

The story of the unlikely romance that develops between a con man, Jack (Brody), and a Columbia biology grad student, Claire (Ayanna).

GENRE(S):	Romance
WRITTEN BY:	Marie Noelle Peter Sehr
DIRECTED BY:	Peter Sehr
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: October 28, 2003 Video: October 28, 2003 Theatrical: June 6, 2003
RUNNING TIME:	104 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

Silver Leopard for New Cinema, 2001 Locarno International Film Festival; Best Director, 2002 Bavarian Film Awards; Best Actor (Brody) and Best Actress (Ayanna), 2002 International Festival of Action and Adventure Films

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Not perfect; a vice cop played by Pam Grier is oddly conceived and unlikely in action, and the movie doesn't seem to know how to end. But as character studies of Jack and Claire, it is daring and inventive, and worthy of comparison with the films of a French master of criminal psychology like Jean-Pierre Melville.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

Their relationship is so subtly inflected with fear, envy, and self-loathing on both sides of the class divide that I was drawn in nonetheless. Brody is a compelling presence throughout.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin

Brody's Oscar victory and newfound star power might have secured Love The Hard Way its theatrical release, but his depth and charisma are what make the film haunting and surprisingly resonant.

Chicago Tribune Robert K. Elder

Writer-director Peter Sehr displays obvious directing talent, especially in his use of nonlinear love scenes. He shows the coupling, the approach and release all at once, out of order, mixing the entire seduction ritual into one fluid montage.

Los Angeles Times Manohla Dargis

It's too little Grier too late, but it's also fairly satisfying to watch.

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

Adrien Brody completists will appreciate Love the Hard Way, if only as an example of the kind of self-conscious, brat-noir projects their man probably won't be doing anymore.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

The film's final scenes are among its silliest, unfortunately.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Wildly uneven romantic drama.

TV Guide Ken Fox

This solid, if familiar, neo-noir premise is nevertheless given a fresh spin by the funky NYC locales, the dubwise hip-hop soundtrack, the terrific chemistry between Brody and the underrated Seda and the one and only Pam Grier.

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

Low-budget, oddly cast and strictly indie all the way.

Village Voice Laura Sinagra

If this adaptation of Chinese punk-lit writer Wang Shuo's fiction doesn't survive its Bronx trick-out, you can't really blame Brody, whose luminous autodidact seems caught between camp and coolsville.

The New York Times Stephen Holden

Loses tension (and ultimately credibility) as it wanders through three possible endings before grinding to a halt.

Variety Derek Elley

Doesn't ring true as a love story between a cocky scam artist and a clever biology student, despite a game effort by Charlotte Ayanna in an impossible role and Adrien Brody at his loosest.

New York Magazine Peter Rainer

Brody doesn’t deserve this movie.

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

None of it is enough, though, to save this glum drama from its schematic self.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Although Love the Hard Way is saturated with a doomed romanticism that feels more fictitious than real, the actors lend the movie a potency that it would not have had otherwise.

New York Daily News Jack Mathews

Brody does have a mesmerizing presence and is the only reason to see a film that likely would have gone straight to video if he hadn't won that Oscar for "The Pianist."

LA Weekly Hazel-Dawn Dumpert

Long-shelved 2001 clunker.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

Brody has offbeat charisma, but it's no match for the corny dialogue he's given here, not to mention the "Wild at Heart" snakeskin jacket he wears.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

To shine in a turd like this shows Brody has the stuff that -- damn the Oscar jinx -- makes an actor last.

The average user rating for this movie is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

jamie s gave it a10:
i loved this movie.i'm sick to death of the average love story.i couldnt stop watching it i even bought it.brody is great,this is the first time ive seen himand i want more.

Jan Q. gave it a10:
I saw this movie late night and loved it. I have watched it since about 14 times. Loved the chemistry between Jack and Claire. I was confused about the ending. I know they walked together but also hoped she was giving him a 2nd chance to get back with him.

David M. gave it a10:
One of the Best Movies i have seen, Worth watching. So tempting, able to relate to in some cases. THe soundtrack is incredible, Wish i could find out where to get it, If anyone know plz email me, i would really love to know. Brody and Ayanna where superb.

Debi W. gave it a10:
Loved it. brody is great.

Suzee M gave it a9:
Terrific movie! German Director Peter Sehr succeeded in moving the story from China (book) to New York without losing the essence of the story. Brody is brilliant as always and Seda and Ayanna offer excellent support for his troubled but compelling Jack. All three actors have great on-screen chemistry. August Diehl is good as well in a small role. These characters are very real living in the superbly shot NYC scenes that are gritty and grim and fascinating. The soundtrack is evocative of all without a single false note.

Jeff J. gave it a 0:
Painfully corny. unwatchable.

Erin B. gave it an 8:
Fantastic. Adrienne Brody is brilliant. I believe between two people the emotions of Claire and Jack could be real. I think better the producers of this film should have considered a moden version of Onegin, versus the story they told here. That's just my opinion!

Love the Hard Way Kino International

Love the Hard Way
Kino International