This early venture from writer-director Paul Schrader features devoutly Calvinist, Midwestern businessman Jake Van Dorn (George C. Scott) as a man shattered by his daughter's descent into the netherworld of porn. The inherently powerful material of the story and interesting comparisons between religious fanaticism and the pornography industry give Hardcore a unique depth to its portrayal of a man whose moral compass is suddenly put into question. It is a disturbing, uncompromising, and eye-opening film that puts a spin on family values guided by a fanatic, no-way-out morality. 1979, U.S., color, 35mm, 109 minutes. More information about Free Thursday events.




SPECIAL THANKS TO MARILEE WOMACK (WARNER BROS. CLASSICS), IRENE RAMOS AND TANY TAYLOR (MGM), MIKE SCHLESINGER (COLUMBIA), AND BRIAN CLAUSSEN (SWANK).