Top Box Office Movies

15 Minutes (2001) New Line/Alliance
2 hrs. 2 mins.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Edward Burns, Kelsey Grammar and watch for a cameo by real-life Gotti lawyer Bruce Cutler.
Music by: J. Peter Robinson
Directed by: John Herzfield

15 Minutes

Rating:

E-MAIL GIANCARLO DE LISI

Photo: New Line Cinema

'One day, everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame'. That is the tagline that accompanies the "15 Minutes" poster. Yet, the memory of this film is something that will last for moviegoers a lot more than just 15 minutes. Only after leaving the movie theatre did I realize the sheer audacity and ingenuity that Director John Herzfield's new film possessed. You read it here first folks - this film you will not soon forget. Something so revolutionary and shocking happens in this film that it would be criminal to mention it. Watch the film and see for yourself. At the risk of sounding overly enthusiastic, watch the film, and then decide if my emotions are precarious.

In an industry where star billing is a prerequisite to get a movie made, certain risks must never be taken. "15 Minutes" surpasses these risks, not in terms of the violence, but in terms of the early plot twist that arises within the film. Leaving many fans disappointed and shocked simultaneously. The risk the film takes pays off leaving the audience with aches to their hearts and an open mind on a further thorough understanding of the film.

The movie stars Robert De Niro as a New York detective and Edward Burns as a Fire Marshall who seem to cross paths when their case also does. Kelsey Grammar of TV's 'Frasier' also has a juicy role as a hotshot tabloid journalist who causes quite a stir with his avant-garde style of brash journalism within the city of New York. De Niro and Burns are on the case of two Eastern Europeans who commit murders, videotape their killings and then have a habit of torching the crime scene. Hence therefore, the coupling of De Niro and Burns.

Without saying too much, this is a good film. Herzfield wrote and directed this intriguing plot that features a number of exciting moments, but that will all be overshadowed by one gigantic trait in the film that audiences have never seen before. While it may remain numbing for others, the incident that happens catapults this film into another genre. Never before has a film taken such a direction, so early in the film. Watch and find out.

The film opens in a comical yet interesting way, never truly establishing itself as a thriller, comedy, actioneer or suspense. This approach can cause problems for the conventional viewer who enjoys an early tone to be set on a film, quickly resulting in an identification of style and film. The reality is, the film takes quite a while at solidifying its stance as a dark moral satire. This film holds a microscope to the mass media coverage of violence in the media. Then in the second half of the film, it focuses on the consequences this absurd media coverage can culminate to. Resulting in a final stance as an exciting thriller in the last 20 minutes that will certainly leave you asking, "What the hell will happen next?"

Director Herzfield acknowledges the problem of violence in the media. How can he shoot a film that in itself contains violence of a graphic nature? A great supporting actor in the film is an inanimate object. The two Eastern Europeans carry with them a video camera and record practically every second of their time in America. Including the shocking murder scenes. Therefore, Herzfield lets the audience see the horror through the eyes of the amateur film composed by the two. An innovative concept that proves to be quite interesting and engaging.

The film in itself is well done, with Herzfield allowing his film to poke fun at cinema seen through the eyes of foreigners. Watch for someone to dramatically die, classic Hollywood style intentionally, and observe even the littlest cliche work, due to its impending backstory. A friend of mine said I should simply observe more and analyze less. This was the case with this film. While the film allowed itself to be groundbreaking and sensitive, it still retained a sense of realism that is absent from cop flicks today, therefore making it inventive and ballsy. If this review was too vague and unclear, watch the film and you will see why. As a whole this film works on one level, satire in a dark and moral way. Satire on a violence obsessed media, satire on the American dream of life and liberty, satire on the buddy cop movies in the past with happy endings, and satire on the questionable justice system - especially when your lawyer is Bruce Cutler. A real surprise that will probably not make a lot of money, but that is a great film to understand and enjoy.

Click here to comment on this review or post your own thoughts.

Giancarlo De Lisi
© TheWorldJournal.com

<![if lt IE 4]> <script src="http://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329;type=js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://servedbyadbutler.com/go2/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329"> <img src="http://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve.ibs/;ID=132676;size=120x600;setID=49329;type=img" border="0" height="600" width="120" alt=""></a> </noscript><![endif]>

Top Box Office Movies © TheWorldJournal.com, All rights reserved. Student News Network For the best advertising rates at TheWorldJournal.com (120x600 - new banner format by the Interactive Advertising Bureau), click here. Back to top	e-mail: info@theworldjournal.com sales: sales@theworldjournal.com