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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
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Love the Hard Way
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 20 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 17 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Romance
Written by:
Marie Noelle
Peter Sehr
Directed by: Peter Sehr
Release Date:
Theatrical: June 6, 2003
DVD: October 28, 2003
Running Time: 104 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
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).
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Manohla Dargis
It's too little Grier too late, but it's also fairly satisfying to watch.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Ty Burr
The film's final scenes are among its silliest, unfortunately.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle
Low-budget, oddly cast and strictly indie all the way.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Stephen Holden
Loses tension (and ultimately credibility) as it wanders through three possible endings before grinding to a halt.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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."
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
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!
