MovieChat Forums > Harsh Times (2006) Discussion > Have you ever known a person like Jim in...

Have you ever known a person like Jim in real life?

posted 16 years ago by offdwallnotdrack
24 replies | jump to latest

I think a lot of us have known; atleast met, someone like Jim in real life. It's really stressful knowing someone like Jim in real life. I have a cousin exactly like him, and I mean exactly like him, and I stopped talking to him just cuz I started actually getting scared for my life. The kind of guy who switches from mr. nice guy, to drunk and crying guy in seconds. I love this movie mainly because of the way it really gives you a feel of the anxiety you go through when you are close to someone like this. My cousin is the guy that my oldest brother went to for support and comfort right before he killed himself(my brother was another "jim" like person also); coincidentally it was right after he came home from Boot Camp, and while he was always a unruly child, I think he got even worse after my brother killed himself. He sorta felt like it was his fault for not being able to prevent it. One of the last times I saw him just a few years ago, we went to a family get together, and I decided to hitch a ride home with him. He has an old pick up truck, and we went on the freeway, and he lit a joint right away. I took like one hit, and he sucked down the rest of it in like a minute. He got high as *beep* real quick and was hitting speeds around 100mph. Out of nowhere he started crying and screaming about my brother and how sorry he was and how it shoulda been him that died. I didn't know what to say, just that it wasn't his fault, and to slow down, it'll be ok. I was crapping my pants, and holding on to the seatbelt like there was no tomorrow. I really thought he was gonna run us into the back of a car and just end it or something. Then out of nowhere he just turned on the radio, wiped his tears, and started laughing, and saying he was cool, and then trying to act as if nothing ever happened and everything was all gravy. It was one of the scariest moments in my life, and every time I watch Harsh Times it brings me right back to that moment.

[–] FactUnderChecK 16 years ago

Yep, my ex girl friend was exactly like Jim. Crazy bitch. shed just go totally mental over nothing. like the tiniest thing and shed just fly way off. Im a reasonably strong guy and she was fxcking hard to restrain. it was more than just an anger issue though. she had really poor social judgement. Shed flip on out on anyone, specially her mates. like she would be trying to punch you in the face and then 2 seconds later shed be acting all cool and laughing.
Shes now in prison for assulting her sister with a hammer.

[–] mokamoka 16 years ago

I used to work with someone like Jim. He could be the sweetest guy in the world but if something is not ok he could be very agressive....there was a situation where I really was scared of him at work...
Didn't see him for a while now...I really miss his sweet side...

You Either Die A Hero, Or Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Villain.

[–] Tylerdurden44 16 years ago

Ya. Myself. When I watched the movie I connected with him so much.

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[–] AnMMAantihero 15 years ago

I can certainly relate to that. Upon initially viewing the film, I was borderline shocked with the fact that my personality mirrored Jim's FAR too close for comfort, which, speaking frankly, more intrigued than alarmed me. I became curious as to whether or not people most familiar with my character would share a similar opinion, so I insisted that my mother, a remarkably strong and perceptive woman, watch it. Having said nothing to her of my self-recognition in Bale's character, I was relatively unsure what to expect, but she openly WEPT throughout the majority of the film, giving absolutely no explanation until the credits began to roll, when she muttered: "Don't let it take you that far. You won't come back." Touching. Disturbing. And I hope that I don't.

“It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black.”-Charlie Brown

[–] Friendo99 15 years ago

wahhhhhh, all aboard the whambulance

[–] AnMMAantihero 15 years ago

Parallels are often painful. "Whambulance"? How cute and trendy. "wahhhhhh"? Upon arriving in a foreign land, dispatch more than a handful of humans, senselessly and under direct orders. Afterward, reenter society. Take note of severe personal disillusionment coupled with chronic maladjustment. Dwell on things a bit. Perhaps go insane for a stretch. Then come back and talk to me.

“It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black.”-Charlie Brown

[–] rb004 15 years ago

You gotta love the internet. Where else can a douchebag who calls himself Friendo insult a soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder?

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[–] syxxdeveroe 15 years ago

I'm like jim. Not so much now than in early years, but I'm also a sociopath (which I don't think he was) And that can cause me to act pretty crazy without noticing until it's too late.

[–] Starvenus 15 years ago

Yes, he's my live-in boyfriend.

The good thing is there's rarely a dull moment, lol.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] voight84 14 years ago

I had aphase in my life where i was almost exactly like Jim(it's over now btw) and it was not a nice time.....i had huge issues with my parents and even friends of mine and people started telling me that i would scare the *beep* out of them!!
seeing HARSH TIMES gave me some kind of strength,i got better and it is still one of my all time favourite movies...could watch it every day
its a shame that the message board to this film is so small.....a 5 star movie

Either you die a hero.....or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain!!

[–] Starvenus 12 years ago

Glad to hear you're hanging 10, Voight.

[–] gilwood 11 years ago

My brother is very similar to Jim. He makes me afraid for my life, his, or his kids. This is a typical cocaine abuse personality. I knew a guy in high school that was pretty normal and then he started getting into cocaine. A few years later, he had the Jim personality - completely self absorbed, aggressive, with mood "spikes". Cocaine is a drug that changes a person's personality permanently, not just when they're on the drug.

[–] Starvenus 9 years ago

Update on my late love/veteran... He ended his own suffering July 2013. Just another 22/day suicide statistic now (that's the official number, the real is much higher).

[–] Killer_Clown 14 years ago

I have friends who are in the military and friends who came from poor backgrounds and they will literally 'spazz' out sometimes. At my job you have guys who are like that too. So when I saw Freddie Rodriguez character Mike I also saw myself.

[–] mojo2004 14 years ago

My cousin was exactly like Jim ad everybody loved him to death! He joined the Marines while in high school and came back crazy as a bedbug.I've known 3 other Marines and they came out the same way. But my cousin was a true friend you could call on day & night for anything. He used drugs & was an alcoholic. He became a fireman & had many incidents while high but they fired him. They loved him too. He decided to move to Las Vegas to get away from bad influences. He got a job as the head of security for one of the casino executives but I guess he couldn't cope and after being out there a few years he committed suicide. So many people came to say goodbye. He was crazy but he was loved.

"Where were you born? At home. I wanted to be near my mother."

[–] billnadsley 14 years ago

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss - that's always a sad thing when you can see someone losing control and can't stop them.

But I have to ask, who goes to Vegas, of all places, to try to get themselves AWAY from bad influences? I suppose you mean that there were people in his home area that were bad influences, but for a drug user/alcoholic, I can barely think of a worse place to be. That town is filled with very little that seems "normal" to most other places, and that can't be easy for someone who's already got severe problems to deal with. Plus, as a security guard, you probably see and deal with even more insane stuff than most - can't be easy.

Either way, sorry for your loss - that stuff can be a nightmare for both the person involved, as well as anyone around them.

[–] subase 13 years ago

To be honest he probably went there to commit suicide, something he couldn't do around his family and friends.

People need to get professional or semi professional help, no joke. Can't deal with things on your own, that's why your flipping out.

[–] BobbyDupea 10 years ago

Yes. More than one.

My real name is Jeff

[–] andrewsk8s 9 years ago

This film totally reminded me of an Army buddy of mine who was a bit twitchy. I cannot share any anecdotes unfortunately.

And, last I heard, he's now a cop for a major city.

"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster"