NICK OF TIME - #850
[Showtime Greats] [John Badham 1995]
1/5
Synopsis:
To save his daughter's life, Gene Watson (Johnny Depp) must assassinate the Governor within 75 minutes. If he fails, his daughter will die.
Opinion:
Interesting concept, flawed by the casting of both Christopher Walken ('Deer Hunter') and Johnny Depp. Walken's performance is over the top, a killer who just always happen to be in every place at once. Because of his distinct acting style, the focus of the film is shifted from Depp's character to him, which for the viewers makes us care less and less about the film outcome.
Depp as well is out of his league. He can't pull off the 'father tortured by grief' acting, and in several scenes , his acting comes across as staged (ie: in the elevator when he first meets the Governor). This film came at an interesting time for Depp, who had yet to hit the big time as he has now (circa 2005-2006), as he was in the midst of a string of serious performances (Dead Man, Donnie Brasco ) before finding his feet in future years as a light- hearted hero ('Ninth Gate', Sleepy Hollow')
This film interestingly plays out in real time, and with the potential to capitilse on the time factor, manages to squeeze only random moments of suspense. For the majority of the film you can feel the actor going through the motion and can pick the twists ahead of time. A film which had potential but failed to deliver in performance, casting, and direction.
Film Fact: The writer Patrick Sheane Duncan wrote 'Mr Holland's Opus' in the same year.
Film Title: References the short amount of time Depp has to fulfill the murderous wishes of Christopher Walken.
1/5
Synopsis:
To save his daughter's life, Gene Watson (Johnny Depp) must assassinate the Governor within 75 minutes. If he fails, his daughter will die.
Opinion:
Interesting concept, flawed by the casting of both Christopher Walken ('Deer Hunter') and Johnny Depp. Walken's performance is over the top, a killer who just always happen to be in every place at once. Because of his distinct acting style, the focus of the film is shifted from Depp's character to him, which for the viewers makes us care less and less about the film outcome.
Depp as well is out of his league. He can't pull off the 'father tortured by grief' acting, and in several scenes , his acting comes across as staged (ie: in the elevator when he first meets the Governor). This film came at an interesting time for Depp, who had yet to hit the big time as he has now (circa 2005-2006), as he was in the midst of a string of serious performances (Dead Man, Donnie Brasco ) before finding his feet in future years as a light- hearted hero ('Ninth Gate', Sleepy Hollow')
This film interestingly plays out in real time, and with the potential to capitilse on the time factor, manages to squeeze only random moments of suspense. For the majority of the film you can feel the actor going through the motion and can pick the twists ahead of time. A film which had potential but failed to deliver in performance, casting, and direction.
Film Fact: The writer Patrick Sheane Duncan wrote 'Mr Holland's Opus' in the same year.
Film Title: References the short amount of time Depp has to fulfill the murderous wishes of Christopher Walken.
posted by Rhett (rhettrospective@hotmail.com) at 2:15 PM
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