Événement

NOIR CITY 15: BLUE COLLAR / STRAIGHT TIME

Friday, January 27

The price of admission gets you into the double bill.

7:15
BLUE COLLAR
(USA, 1978. Universal Pictures. 114 min.)

Screenplay by Paul Schrader and Leonard Schrader
Produced by Robin French and Don Guest. Directed by Paul Schrader

Schrader's directorial debut is one of the most politically savvy films of the 1970s -- if not ever. Three Detroit autoworkers -- Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel, and Yaphet Kotto -- are so fed up with their jobs they decide to rip off the safe in their own union office. When the robbery doesn't go quite as planned, solidarity is only the first casualty. Pryor is, of course, funny as hell -- but he also gives his finest dramatic performance in this seething film that remains as timely and relevant as ever. Presented in 35mm

9:30
STRAIGHT TIME
(USA, 1978. First Artists / Warner Bros. 114 min.)

Screenplay by Alvin Sargent, Edward Bunker, and Jeffrey Boam, from the novel by Edward Bunker
Produced by Howard Pine, Stanley Beck, Tim Zinnemann, and Dustin Hoffman (uncredited)
Directed by Ulu Grosbard and Dustin Hoffman (uncredited)

Max Dembo (Dustin Hoffman) starts his parole with small dreams: get a job, maybe meet a woman, but those dreams are destined to be crushed by the system and his own nature, forcing him back into a life of crime. Based on a novel written by Eddie Bunker (Reservoir Dogs) while he was in stir, the tale demonstrates how difficult it can be to leave prison behind, even in the outside world. Hoffman's gritty turn is supported by an amazing cast, including Theresa Russell, M. Emmet Walsh, Harry Dean Stanton, Gary Busey, and Kathy Bates. Presented in 35mm