Hardcore

How George C. Scott didn’t become a fashion icon after Hardcore remains one of life’s great mysteries.

The colorful wardrobe choices that his Jake Van Dorn makes in an attempt to blend in with the Los Angeles pornography industry that his runaway daughter Kristen (Ilah Davis) has become mixed up in are a sight to behold. And on top of the flashy clothes, he employs a range of facial disguises like a Ford-era Lon Chaney, showing that there’s far more to this quiet Michigan businessman than we originally thought.

These bizarre yet believable measures by a desperate, motivated father are all the more effective with Gen. Patton himself doing the searching. And only someone this invested could weather the storm of industry workers who clearly know something yet say, “I don’t know nothing, man,” as if they all attended the same anti-narc training session.

Like the Van Dorns, writer/director Paul Schrader hails from Grand Rapids and grew up in the strict Dutch Christian Reform Church. It’s not difficult to imagine his community looking at his films with a disgust similar to the stomach-churning that Kristen’s cinematic activities inspires, and the creator of Travis Bickle gets excellent mileage out of the hyperbolic metaphor.

In only his second directorial effort, Schrader also displays the skills of a far more experienced filmmaker, and unlike some of his greatest hits — including his impressive recent run of First Reformed, The Card Counter, and Master Gardener — spins a quality yard without relying on voiceover narration and/or a diary.

But it sadly wasn’t enough to get Scott photographed by Richard Avedon or have his own line at JC Penny. Oh well — not every dream can come true.

Grade: B-plus. Rated R. Available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

(Photo: Kino Lorber)

Blu-ray bonus features

• Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Paul Schrader

• Audio Commentary by Film Historians Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer and Paul Scrabo

• Theatrical Trailer