"The Harder They Come" begins as an engrossing story with social commentary and great music, but it makes a sharp detour into exploitation territory that left me displeased.
It's possible it wouldn't have been as successful if not for that, but I still think it could have been handled better.
The story is about Ivan, a young Jamaican man played by the first reggae star, Jimmy Cliff. He moves to the city after his grandmother dies but has trouble finding work. He records a decent song for a producer, but the guy won't pay him what he's worth, and he has the local music industry in lockdown.
So, unexpectedly, Ivan basically turns into a complete psychopath. There is very little insight into how he feels about any of this, so his sudden murderous criminality comes out of nowhere.
The beginning of the movie feels sharply observed, like the filmmakers really understand what they're talking about. The presumably pretty low budget only serves to bring you closer to the action, it makes everything feel more real. But when this character arc happens, the movie becomes a mess, like they just needed sex and violence, and to hell with the plot.
I knew it was a crime flick, but I didn't realise it was an exploitation flick. It could have been a lot better, but maybe then it wouldn't be as successful.
It's possible it wouldn't have been as successful if not for that, but I still think it could have been handled better.
The story is about Ivan, a young Jamaican man played by the first reggae star, Jimmy Cliff. He moves to the city after his grandmother dies but has trouble finding work. He records a decent song for a producer, but the guy won't pay him what he's worth, and he has the local music industry in lockdown.
So, unexpectedly, Ivan basically turns into a complete psychopath. There is very little insight into how he feels about any of this, so his sudden murderous criminality comes out of nowhere.
The beginning of the movie feels sharply observed, like the filmmakers really understand what they're talking about. The presumably pretty low budget only serves to bring you closer to the action, it makes everything feel more real. But when this character arc happens, the movie becomes a mess, like they just needed sex and violence, and to hell with the plot.
I knew it was a crime flick, but I didn't realise it was an exploitation flick. It could have been a lot better, but maybe then it wouldn't be as successful.