Straight Time 1978
""Please God, don't let him get caught.""
Directed by Ulu Grosbard, *Straight Time (1978)* plunges audiences into the gritty struggle of Max Dembo, a convicted burglar freshly paroled, determined to leave his criminal past behind.
Director: Ulu Grosbard
Cast
Dustin Hoffman
Max Dembo
Theresa Russell
Jenny Mercer
Gary Busey
Willy Darin
Harry Dean Stanton
Jerry Schue
M. Emmet Walsh
Earl Frank
Rita Taggart
Carol Schue
Kathy Bates
Selma Darin
Sandy Baron
Manny
Jake Busey
Henry Darin
Peter Kwong
Grocery Clerk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Straight Time (1978) about?
After a parolee tries to exchange a life of crime for honest work, his progress unravels when a relentless parole officer maneuvers him back toward incarceration. The tension escalates as Max's fragile stability collapses under the weight of the system.
Who directed Straight Time?
Ulu Grosbard helmed *Straight Time*, bringing a grounded, dialogue-driven approach that amplifies the film's psychological realism.
Who stars in Straight Time?
Dustin Hoffman leads the cast as Max Dembo, with standout performances from Theresa Russell, Gary Busey, and Harry Dean Stanton.
Is Straight Time (1978) worth watching?
A tense, character-driven crime drama, *Straight Time* shines in Dustin Hoffman's transformative performance and Grosbard's taut direction. Fans of 70s neo-noir will appreciate its mood and themes, even if it flies under the mainstream radar.
How long is Straight Time?
*Straight Time* runs for 114 minutes, offering a tight, immersive experience.
🎥 Trailer
About Straight Time (1978) — A Gritty Parolee's Desperate Bid for Redemption
Directed by Ulu Grosbard, *Straight Time (1978)* plunges audiences into the gritty struggle of Max Dembo, a convicted burglar freshly paroled, determined to leave his criminal past behind. Played with raw intensity by Dustin Hoffman, Max lands a job, meets a woman who ignites hope, and tries to rebuild a life within the rigid confines of parole. Yet as tension simmers beneath his fragile stability, a domineering parole officer—cold and calculating—pushes him toward the edge, threatening to drag him back into the chaos he fought so hard to escape.
The film thrives on Hoffman's magnetic performance, threading themes of redemption, control, and the suffocating grip of bureaucracy. With a moody, understated atmosphere, *Straight Time* lingers as a compelling character study, dissecting the fine line between freedom and fate.
