submitted: Jun 3rd 2008 | by: Ace | Total views: 74 | Word Count: 617 | |

I was looking forward to the release of 88 minutes, Al Pacino is an incredible actor when he is given the right material to work with but this film isn't it and this movie will undoubtedly go down as one of the worst of 2008. The story entices the movie going public with what seems like an original idea yet it quickly falls into run of the mill thriller territory. It could have been a thoroughly entertaining and money making movie if it didn't get so mired down in twists, unnecessary flashbacks and plotlines that add virtually nothing to the storyline. There are scenes that do start you guessing about the identity of the bad guy and the reason for the acts they commit, yet the sophistication is lacking and you end up not really caring who or why.

Al Pacino plays Dr. Jack Gramm, a forensic psychologist fresh off an appeal process that had him testifying against a serial killer sitting on death row. As the movie begins its only hours before the killer is scheduled to receive lethal injection and Gramm's testimony is the ultimate reason why the killer was convicted.  In addition to his practice Gramm is also a lecturer at the local university where he teaches future psychologists and investigators the tricks of the trade, and assists the FBI in the area of profiling. Aside from his professional life we learn that he is quite the player with the ladies, able to date any number of women half his age, including work associates and perfect strangers without hesitation.

Early in the film, Dr. Gramm is walking across the campus of the university and receives a voice disguised cell phone call announcing to him that he has only 88 minutes to live followed by the almost laughable phrase tick tock doc. So begins the countdown and Al Pacino's cardiovascular workout as he sprints across the campus, races down the virtually uninhabited roads of Seattle and up and down high rise stairwells in search of the mystery caller. Immediately the suspicion falls on a death row inmate awaiting a needle in his arm, a serial killer played by character actor Neal McDonough, a talented performer who is absolutely wasted in this role. If you wish to see McDonough at his best, rent Band of Brothers and enjoy his role as Lt. Buck. Now that is acting!

I cared very little about the character development in 88 minutes, and aside from Pacino who I do admire for so many incredible roles in the past, I recall very little about the others including his lesbian administrative assistant, a number of forgettable students in his class and an FBI agent who pops in and out of the story with little to no storyline development and a knack for doing exactly what the doctor tells him. In addition to Gramm's pesky phone calls there is also the resumption of a serial killing spree against very attractive women and which matches those committed by the McDonough character years before.

There is nothing better than a good thriller, a film that keeps you interested, guessing, glued to your seat and positively entertained from start to finish. It's easy to see where this film went wrong when you put it up against some of the modern day classics such as Seven starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, Memento, Dead Again, Primal Fear starring Edward Norton and my favourite The Usual Suspects starring Kevin Spacey. My suggestion is to save your movie theatre money, head to your local video store and rent these instead. They are a sure bet on a Saturday evening and a heck of a lot better than this film has to offer you.

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