Hard Times (1975) review

In Depression-era America, bare-knuckle fighter Chaney (Charles Bronson) approaches promoter/gambler Speed (James Coburn) to try and make some quick cash boxing and so the two of them travel by train to New Orleans where Chaney develops feelings for Lucy Simpson (Jill Ireland, Bronson's real-life wife) and Speed racks up debt with local mobsters.  Having spent time working as a screenwriter, director Hill finally got the chance to direct his own feature film, and the result is a steadily-paced (albeit melancholy) "buddy movie" that shows individuals on the fringe of society willing to do anything but work for a few bucks changing tires or whatever menial jobs are available.  Chaney's character is, as they say in the video game world, a little "overpowered" - he doesn't really register pain - although he isn't immune to rejection from Lucy, and his 'redemptive act' at the conclusion suggests that friendship among outcasts is more reliable than the ups-and-downs of romance.