| Buy the DVD |   |
| Buy the VHS | |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Year: | 2001 |
| Rating: | R |
| Length: | 2 Hours 1 Minute |
| Cast: | John Herzfeld, Robert De Niro, Edward Burns, Kelsey Grammer |
The negative consequences of television's pervasive, insatiable, and increasingly soulless pursuit of the sensational is vividly dramatized in 15 Minutes, a fast-paced thriller offering plenty of violent action in addition to wry social commentary. Robert De Niro portrays a famous New York City detective -- a media darling himself -- who partners with fire marshal Edward Burns in an attempt to capture two Eastern European criminals on a murderous rampage. Believing they can win fame and fortune by selling video footage of their depredations, the dimwitted thugs find a willing customer in tabloid TV host Kelsey Grammer. Writer-director John Herzfeld (2 Days in the Valley) savages media culture but doesn't allow his pointed observations to overshadow a gripping narrative, which defies genre conventions with a major and unexpected plot twist halfway through the film. Seasoned veteran De Niro wears his character comfortably, like a pair of old shoes, and relative newcomer Burns more than holds his own in scenes with the ol' raging bull. The initial friction between their characters will remind viewers of a dozen "buddy" flicks, but 15 Minutes is no ordinary cop movie: Herzfeld uses an action-film framework to make us think about the media culture we've fostered and continue to tolerate. He reiterates this connection in his commentary for the DVD, which includes two original documentaries -- "15 Minutes of True Tabloid Stars" and "Does Crime Pay?" -- in addition to deleted scenes, extra video footage, a music video covering the song "Fame," and DVD-ROM script-to-screen content. Ed Hulse
|
|
|
|
