Blu-ray Review Hardcore Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Richard Gallagher]

richard-gallagher

Hardcore Blu-ray Review

Paul Schrader's 1979 film Hardcore is an unrelentingly grim but fascinating look at the sordid world of low-budget pornography and prostitution in California. It is not for all tastes, but it has been brought to Blu-ray by Twilight Time with outstanding picture and sound.

[review]
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[Johnny Angell]

As I recall from my theatrical viewing, I did not feel the ending was tacked on. As I remember:

Spoiler

Scott's character had promised Hubley's character that once he found his daughter, he would take them both back home with him and treat her like a daughter. The daughter is found and Scott does not follow through, she just wouldn't fit in at home. Hubley's character accepts it with resignation. It didn't feel tacked on, but tragic and inevitable.

 

[Dick]

I remember from my theatrical experience that this film was not very appealing, or even provocative, despite Scott in the cast. I felt it pulled too many punches, and might have been much more powerful, released as it was during a very liberal period of the ratings system. If you're going to deliver a "message" in a movie, make sure it counts. So many fail at that, and I think this is one of them.

 

[Richard Gallagher]

As I recall from my theatrical viewing, I did not feel the ending was tacked on.

I was referring the the ending as it pertains to the daughter. According to Schrader, that was tacked on at the insistence of the studio.

 

[Johnny Angell]

I was referring the the ending as it pertains to the daughter. According to Schrader, that was tacked on at the insistence of the studio.

It's been many years. Can you refresh my memory as to the ending for the daughter ?

 

[skylark68]

I've never seen this film, but the plot seems to be pretty similar to 8mm with Nick Cage and Joaquin Phoenix. Can anyone who has seen both films comment on this? Sounds like an intriguing film.

 

[Richard Gallagher]

It's been many years. Can you refresh my memory as to the ending for the daughter ?

Sure.

Spoiler

When Jake finds his daughter, she won't let him touch her, complains that he never showed her any love, he never approved of any of her friends, and that he wants him to leave. He gets up and asks, "Do you really want me to leave?" and she suddenly and inexplicably changes her mind and decides to go back to Grand Rapids with him and resume the life she hates.

That is the ending which Schrader says was forced upon him by the studio.

 

[Johnny Angell]

Sure.

Spoiler

When Jake finds his daughter, she won't let him touch her, complains that he never showed her any love, he never approved of any of her friends, and that he wants him to leave. He gets up and asks, "Do you really want me to leave?" and she suddenly and inexplicably changes her mind and decides to go back to Grand Rapids with him and resume the life she hates.

That is the ending which Schrader says was forced upon him by the studio.

Was the ending that Schrader wanted

Spoiler

Scott leaving without his daughter?

 

[Richard Gallagher]

Was the ending that Schrader wanted

Spoiler

Scott leaving without his daughter?

Sort of.

Spoiler

He was going to discover that his daughter was dead - possibly the result of an accident. The actress who played her had no legitimate acting experience, so Schrader hadn't intended for her to have a speaking role beyond the few words that she says early in the film.