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Hardcore

Hardcore

Drama · Crime · Thriller · 1979

A conservative Midwest businessman ventures into the sordid underworld of pornography in search of his runaway teenage daughter who’s making hardcore films in the pits of Los Angeles.

Movie details

Hardcore

““Oh my God, that's my daughter.””

1979 Drama · Crime · Thriller 1h 48m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.7 / 10

Community rating

A conservative Midwest businessman ventures into the sordid underworld of pornography in search of his runaway teenage daughter who’s making hardcore films in the pits of Los Angeles.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Hardcore?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.

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Blue Velvet

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Elsewhere

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Changeling

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Auto Focus

Auto Focus

Crime · 2002

A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter. This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.

Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Paul Schrader

Written by

Paul Schrader

George C. Scott

George C. Scott

Jake VanDorn

Peter Boyle

Peter Boyle

Andy Mast

Season Hubley

Season Hubley

Niki

Dick Sargent

Dick Sargent

Wes DeJong

Leonard Gaines

Leonard Gaines

Ramada

Dave Nichols

Dave Nichols

Kurt

Gary Graham

Gary Graham

Tod

Court is in session

Put Hardcore on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.