Movie Type: Post-Noir (Modern Noir), Romantic Drama
Themes: Self-Destructive Romance, Opposites Attract, Cons and Scams
Main Cast: Adrien Brody, Charlotte Ayanna, Jon Seda, August Diehl, Pam Grier
Release Year: 2001
Country: US/DE
Run Time: 110 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
This contemporary film noir is an international endeavor with key creative forces hailing from China, Germany, and the United States. It is based on the Chinese novel Yoban shi huoyan she hai shu (Fire and Ice) by subversive writer Wang Shuo, who has been called a "corruptor of youth" by critics in his native land. German screenwriter/director Peter Sehr fell in love with the novel and chose to adapt it as a film set in New York City. For Sehr, the location best represents a contrast of "people and light" that compliments the film's subject matter, a dark love story between a brilliant biology student and a master swindler. Claire is a good girl living a mundane lifestyle until she meets literature-quoting con man, Jack. Although Jack normally despises relationships, he's attracted to Claire's innocence and allows a romance to blossom. But when a detective begins closing in on a his latest caper, he's forced to give Claire the cold shoulder. Heartbroken, Claire starts down a spiraling road of self-destruction that's often painful to watch. Performance highlights are Adrien Brody as Jack, and Pam Grier in a tough-lady role reminiscent of Jackie Brown. ~ Connor McMadden, All Movie Guide
Francisco Lorite - Barry; Joey Kern - Fitzgerald; Michaela Conlin - Cara; Katherine Moennig - Debbie; Sara Klingebiel - Jill; Ned Stresen-Reuter - Brian
Credit
Jason Kliot - Co-producer, Peter Sehr - Director, Darien Dahoud - Composer (Music Score), Wolfram Tichy - Producer, Marie Noelle - Screenwriter, Peter Sehr - Screenwriter, Wang Shuo - Book Author
Love the Hard Way is a 2001 crime drama film directed by Peter Sehr. It is about the story of a petty thief who meets an innocent young woman and brings her into his world of crime while she teaches him the lessons of enjoying life and being loved.
The film was written by Peter Sehr and is based on the novel Yi Ban Shi Huo Yan, Yi Ban Shi Hai Shui by Chinese writer Wang Shuo, although Sehr transported the film's story to New York. Love the Hard Way stars Adrien Brody, Charlotte Ayanna, Jon Seda, Pam Grier, and Katherine Moennig.
