Harsh Times

RATING :: a piece of sushi with too much wasabi

David Ayer made a name for himself by writing the Academy award winning "Training Day". His constant exploration of the dark side of law enforcement borders on overly bleak and "Harsh Times" (written and directed by Ayer) is no different.

Christian Bale (from "Batman Begins" fame) stars as Jim Davis, an ex-Army Ranger, returning home to LA. His continual attempts to join law enforcement are denied and his frustration grows to the point of boiling over. Bale brings another powerful performance to the table although it is strangely reminscent of the wild eyed Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho". A wandering slightly tamed killing machine whose leash has been released...strolling the streets bored and purposeless.

The opening he finds himself offered is a Black Ops drug operative in Columbia requiring him to leave everything behind and become a ghost. But when things seem to be coming together...the ticking time bomb begins its final countdown. The demons in his head overwhelm and decision after decision leads him to his ultimate demise. I'm a fan of darker material as if often more honesty explores the human condition but this is a pitch black drama...very little of anything that could be called redemptive.