The Hard Easy (HBO)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: C
How
embarrassing can a tough guy film be?
Well, make all the dialogue’s tough guy sex speak so gross and cold it
is a joke and action so preposterous that you can’t believe the project got
greenlighted. One of the worst of these
is Ari Ryan’s The Hard Easy, about
two unknowing gangs about to disguise themselves at the same time and rob the
same bank. Both gangs have a member in
need of money for debts to shady people (Henry Thomas and David Boreanaz here)
and they have to deal with tough thugs and hardened veteran tough guys (Peter
Weller and Bruce Dern, also wasted here) to get what they need. Unfortunately, what the film needed was a
good script, not this infantile mess.
The only
reason this is watchable is because it becomes a guide on how not to make such
a film and evidence of how bad such a film can go when done so badly. It also shows serious filmmakers how not to
waste talented actors, though Gary Busey’s appearance makes some sick
sense. Otherwise, this is a big time
waster!
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is soft and likely shot in HD or Super
16mm. Colors, details and depth are
limited, while none of the shots are memorable.
This is especially true with the sloppy editing that gives the MTV style
new credibility. The Dolby Digital 5.1
Stereo has decent surrounds and is the highlight by default of the disc, but
the mix is nothing special either.
Extras include a behind the scenes featurette where Ryan tells us what a
great project this is, along with an audio commentary… where Ryan tells us what
a great project this is. Yawn!
- Nicholas Sheffo
