TODAY'S NUGGET: Straight Time (1978) - Not Likeable + Showing Humanity

[Quick Summary: After he gets out of jail, a felon cannot readjust and returns to crime, the only life that he knows well.]

Max is an unsympathetic, unrepentant, and desperate felon.

I liked that the script did not try to make him "likeable" or excuse away his behavior.

Max is also lonely, looking for love, and thoughtful.

I also liked that his character had real humanity.  The script did not shy from the fact that humans are messy,  funny, inconsistent, kind, etc., often all at the same time.

For example (below), Max is robbing a pawn shop AND SHOPPING FOR HIS GIRLFRIEND FROM STOLEN MERCHANDISE.  It's both despicable and sweet.:

ex. "INT. PAWN SHOP

Max crawling back through the hole. He takes more watches, stuffing them into his pockets. We HEAR the SOUND of PEOPLE TALKING. A WOMAN GIGGLING. He freezes. Finally the VOICES FADE. Max moves out of the cage toward the display case. He picks up small metal statue and is about to smash the glass. He looks in, sees pendants with astrological signs next to the pistols. He looks around, sees telephone. Crawls to it. Dials.
                                                                                            CUT TO:
INT. JENNY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The PHONE RINGS. Jenny, in bed, reaches for phone.
                                                                                            CUT TO:
INT. PAWN SHOP

Max, crouched low, on the phone.

MAX (whispers): When's your birthday?...I'm in a meeting, when's your birthday?...Jesus Christ, will you just tell me your birthday?...What sign's that?...Good, see you later...What? Just a second...

He hangs up. He moves to the case. On the way sees a small satchel, picks it up along with the small metal statue. He breaks the glass of the display case. An ALARM GOES OFF. He hurries. Sweeping the jewelry and pistols into the satchel, putting a gold Pisces on a chain in his breast pocket. He runs to rear door. Opens it. ANOTHER ALARM GOES OFF. He moves outside."

WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I think what makes this "felon on the run" story different for me is the humanity of Max.  I don't like his choices, but I understand it.

Straight Time (1978)(final draft, dated 3/11/77)
by Alvin Sargent
Based on the novel, "No Beast So Fierce," by Edward Bunker