Today’s quick review: 88 Minutes. Nine years after his testimony put accused serial killer Jon Forster (Neal McDonough) behind bars, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Jack Gramm (Al Pacino) receives a death threat claiming he has 88 minutes to live. With a copycat killer on the loose and his own life in danger, Gramm must figure out who has been collaborating with Forster before it is too late.
88 Minutes is a crime thriller about the grudge between an imprisoned serial killer and the psychiatrist who brought him down. 88 Minutes sports capable writing, a good sense of tension, and a talented lead actor. The pace is fast, and the movie handles its moment-to-moment tension well. However, the overarching plot does not fit together as tightly as it could, muting its payoff and making its twists hard to follow.
88 Minutes does a good job of planting red herrings and keeping them in play. Gramm’s circle of friends and colleagues includes a number of shady characters, and whoever is making the threats must be close to him. However, the movie’s strengths come with a price. The flurry of information can be hard to keep track of. The movie also focuses more on short-term suspense than building up to its finale, a tradeoff that hurts the movie’s cohesion.
Other choices could swing a viewer one way or the other. Al Pacino’s character never seems entirely trustworthy, no matter how much he tries to help those around him. The movie opts for a serious tone with a tinge of targeted violence, although it stops well before it crosses into horror. The central premise is only mediocre, and the movie depends heavily on its forward momentum to keep the viewer engaged.
Watch 88 Minutes if you are in the mood for a serious thriller with competent execution and a few flaws. Although its payoff is mixed and its style of storytelling may not satisfy some viewers, 88 Minutes is worth a shot for anyone looking for some quick suspense. Skip it if you are looking for a lighter thriller or a true mystery. For another Al Pacino crime thriller that instead plays the long game, check out Insomnia.
5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for reasonably good craftsmanship.