15 Minutes

December 9, 2004

Rated: R Runtime: 119 min Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

We went into 15 Minutes with pretty low expectations based on the trailers and commercials. Although it starts a little slow and wanders a bit at points, it really comes on strong for the last third or so of the movie and was very enjoyable. There’s alot of mystery and suspense in this flick and at least a couple of surprises not given away by the trailer that you really do not want to know before seeing it unfold for yourself, so be careful around the water cooler if this film is the topic.

15 Minutes

Robert De Niro and Edward Burns are the stars. De Niro is the wiley old homicide detective who has become a bit of a media hero through his friendship with a tabloid TV reporter played by Kelsey Grammer. This is the type of role where you cant really fully appreciate De Niro’s skills because he can do this type of role in his sleep. Edward Burns plays an arson investigating Fire Marshall. A case involving a fire and homicide brings the two together.

The case they are investigating is what makes this movie unique. A couple of guys go on a bit of a killing spree. But they video tape everything they do including their faces, narration, etc. Sound crazy? They certainly hope so! Their plan is to sell the tape, plead insanity, spend a little time in a mental institution and then come out and get rich selling their story.

The movie takes a really harsh cynical look at our society, particularly beating up on the media and judicial system. The fire and police department trip over one another to get media exposure as that is the key to getting the public to support additional funding for each. In this world, public perception is more important than the truth. And the media controls that perception. Lives are made or ruined based on what people see on TV, not due process.

15 Minutes will inevitably make you ask yourself, are we, as a society really as bad as this movie portrays us? Could the scenarios presented in the film, happen in real life? Voyeurism is a strong urge that everyone has whether they admit it or not. We can’t help but be tempted to watch anything provocative or intense even if we know we shouldn’t. Satellite, high speed networks and omnipresent video cameras means when something interesting happens anywhere in the world, we can see it often in a matter of minutes.

In the real world, a great tragedy such as a kid who takes a gun to school and busts a cap in several of his classmates is on every channel and the internet almost instantly. The cameras show all, they want to interview grieving families, students still in a state of shock, and society soaks it all in. The more tragic the event, the higher the ratings. 15 Minutes will make you really question where news ends and right to privacy begins as it really explores sensationalism and so called reality TV.

We give 15 Minutes 3 stars, but it is a very strong 3 stars. It started off slow, but the movie really picked up the pace toward the end. We do recommend you catch this one on the big screen if for no other reason than to make sure some inconsiderate person ruins it for you by wanting to talk about it.

Posted by Billy Bob | Filed Under 3 Stars, Avery Brooks, Drama, Edward Burns, Kelsey Grammer, Melina Kanakaredes, R, Robert De Niro, Theatrical, Thriller