Right, so here we go. “88 Minutes” – the Al Pacino thriller with that ticking clock effect. I can’t help but feel a bit nostalgic about this one. It takes me back to a rainy Tuesday in Stockholm, somewhere around 2007. I remember rushing through Kungsgatan to catch the premiere. There’s something special about seeing a thriller on a gloomy day, you know?
On the surface, the film’s got all the right ingredients: a high-stakes plot, a race against time, and an all-star cast. Pacino as Dr. Jack Gramm, a forensic psychologist with a rather tight schedule – 88 minutes to be precise. The concept’s solid, but the execution? Well, that’s where it gets tricky.
First off, Al Pacino carries the film as he always does – with charisma and a certain gravitas. Men det är Pacino vi pratar om, so that’s a given. But there were moments when I felt the script didn’t quite do him justice. Some of the lines are a bit wooden, like something straight out of a TV crime drama.
Cinematography was decent, though not particularly remarkable. There’s a certain gritty vibe that fits well with the story. But it’s the pacing that gets me. The suspense builds, sure, but sometimes it drags on methodically, kinda like waiting for your turn at Systembolaget on a Saturday afternoon.
As for the supporting cast – Leelee Sobieski and Alicia Witt – they give solid performances but again, they aren’t given much to work with. Their characters feel somewhat underdeveloped, which is a shame.
I found myself more intrigued by the whodunit aspect than emotionally invested in the characters. Maybe it’s just me, but I kept thinking about how many better thrillers there are out there. And yet, there’s something oddly compelling about it, maybe it’s the nostalgia or just the sheer intensity of Pacino’s presence.
In summary, “88 Minutes” is a mixed bag – worth a watch for Pacino fans or if you’re into race-against-time thrillers. But don’t expect a masterpiece. It’s like a good cup of Gevalia – reliable, satisfying but not particularly memorable.
Oh, and one more thing. There’s a scene in a parking garage that really got to me – I swear I’ve had nightmares of those echoing footsteps ever since.
