I usually like movies that try the "real time = reel time" gimmick - movies like Hitchcock's "Rope", the little-seen "Nick of Time" and a large part of "Speed", for example. "88 minutes" is one of those movies, and Jon Avnet does a very good job of maintaining an unusually high level of pulse-quickening, teeth-gritting tension. If you stop to think about the plot, holes will probably show up left and right, but Avnet doesn't leave you time to think; he barely even leaves you time to breathe. He moves from one scene to another just as frantically as Al Pacino is searching for clues that will lead him to the person who is threatening to end his life in 88 minutes.
For Pacino, this was clearly a "commercial" project, but let's face it - Pacino reading the phone book out loud is still more interesting than many actors' finest dramatic moments! Plus, for a 67-year-old man, he still seems to be in great shape both physically and mentally, as if the years haven't slowed him down at all. His most prominent female co-star is Alicia Witt, and she almost manages to keep up with him - not an easy task (also, I have a soft spot for redheads and Alicia has grown into quite the beauty!).
But, as it usually happens in thrillers of this type (one of the very few exceptions: "Se7en"), the ending is not as satisfying as the journey taking you there : part of the problem is that the culprit can be spotted rather early (when the movie takes the time to establish an obvious alibi for that person), and part is that his / her performance at the end is not 100% convincing.
Still, for the most part this is an exciting ride. (***)
For Pacino, this was clearly a "commercial" project, but let's face it - Pacino reading the phone book out loud is still more interesting than many actors' finest dramatic moments! Plus, for a 67-year-old man, he still seems to be in great shape both physically and mentally, as if the years haven't slowed him down at all. His most prominent female co-star is Alicia Witt, and she almost manages to keep up with him - not an easy task (also, I have a soft spot for redheads and Alicia has grown into quite the beauty!).
But, as it usually happens in thrillers of this type (one of the very few exceptions: "Se7en"), the ending is not as satisfying as the journey taking you there : part of the problem is that the culprit can be spotted rather early (when the movie takes the time to establish an obvious alibi for that person), and part is that his / her performance at the end is not 100% convincing.
Still, for the most part this is an exciting ride. (***)