Unable to find honest work in the city and underpaid by greedy record producers, an aspiring musician from rural Jamaica turns to a life of crime in this drama starring singer Jimmy Cliff. The film features an excellent reggae music soundtrack and Cliff has several strong moments, notably how he mixes bitterness and contempt when reluctantly agreeing to accept $20 for a record that he knows is worth tens times as much. There is also an interesting dynamic in how the record producer would much rather Cliff's song become a smaller hit because it would be easier for him to bask in profits that would otherwise flow to Cliff, but generally speaking, the story here is not especially compelling and Cliff becomes increasingly less sympathetic as the film progresses. Sure, he is a victim of circumstance, falling into a violent lifestyle as a means by which to survive, but knowing this does not make his actions less heinous. The supporting characters are a little lifeless too, especially a preacher's daughter who he becomes infatuated with. There is some magnificent imagery to be had though as he imagines himself basking with her naked in the sea and as the pair of them cycle together by the seaside. Still, this film is mostly of interest for the music and the historical significance of being Jamaica's first film, shining a light on the country kept out of tourist pamphlets.
Review of The Harder They Come
