Real time concept thrillers usually do not work. Yet with the success of TV program 24, another attempt is taken at the flagging sub-genre with Jon Avnet’s 88 Minutes. It is a sad mistake.
The film stars Al Pacino as Dr. Jack Graham, a college professor and playboy who moonlights as a forensic psychiatrist for the FBI, work which has garnered him worldwide acclaim after his testimony successfully assured serial killer Jon Forster (Neal McDonough) the death penalty.
One day away from Forster’s execution, a copycat killer murders two of Grahams former love interests and then subsequently gives Graham 88 minutes to solve the case before he will be killed. Graham uses his expertise to find the killer before his time is up.
Lacking tension in its setting and empathy for its characters, 88 Minutes is a woeful excuse of a thriller thanks to the inept direction by Jon Avnet, who has forgotten to inject emotion and thrills in what can only be described as a bloated crime movie.
Screenwriter Gary Scott Thompson – of The Fast and the Furious fame – has written an extremely weak script, devoid of any interesting or sufficient character development and brimming with poor dialogue.
Generic plot devices (such as an over extended use of the flashback), brings the quality of the film down to the gutter, coming off as a movie of the week/CSI rip off in the process. Crappy opening titles sufficiently (yet unfortunately) sets the films tone, and a terrible score by Ed Shearmur does not enhance the mood one iota.
Yet the most atrocious aspect of the film belongs to its shocking disregard for simple continuity, with the viewer able to successfully pinpoint where re-shoots have occurred, thanks to the hair and make-up departments inability to match Pacino’s hairstyle with previously shot scenes.
A supporting cast of seasoned character actors (mostly from TV) all pitch in with career low performances, with special mention to Alicia Witt, Amy Brenneman, William Forsythe, Deborah Kara Unger and an atrocious turn by Leelee Sobieski.
On top of all of this, acclaimed thespian Al Pacino - whose natural charisma and penchant for chewing up the scenery usually saves such woeful fair (see Two for the Money) – phones it in big time, giving his reputation a battering in the process.
Perhaps it’s time that Pacino fired his agent and re-hired former agent / producer Marty Bergman, because he needs a home run after this dismal turnout.
|