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I have to admit I was not enjoying 15 Minutes too much until I let my laughter loose. Pull up a second here boy: do you mean to say this violence filled flick obsessed with the media is the blackest of black comedies? Having seen John Herzfeld's fine first film several years ago, 2 Days in the Valley, you've gotta believe this writer/director has every intention of making you laugh. The free-flowing wild ride of 2 Days works a lot better than 15 Minutesbecause this viewer at least was too unsure of how to feel. But when a savvy filmmaker puts ridiculous characters in ridiculous situations, it's you're mistake not to go with the flow from the get-go.
Just a couple of New York tourists. ©New Line
A pair of crooks bumble their way through immigration at Kennedy Airport arriving in New York to claim their share from a robbery five years ago. Emil and Oleg are the Laurel and Hardy of bad boys. Times Square ignites their imaginations of the American way. Oleg, a would-be film director in his own mind, steals a digital video camera and begins recording the pair's every move. When their former partner does not come up with the cash, Emil explodes with rage, slits some throats and decides to hide the evidence in rush of flames. It's just the beginning of killing and arson spree.
Famous homicide detective Eddie Fleming is called to investigate the murders and arson investigator Jordy Warsaw arrives to check out the cause of the blaze. Elements of buddy banter surface but never bubble over. Fleming and Warsaw work together but separately in pursuit of the killers. Writer/director Herzfeld provides some shocking surprises as the killers pursue their own dreams of the American way. Close to Eddie and the action, Robert Hawkins, the host of tabloid television news show Top Story, looks for ways to pump up the ratings. Hawkins will go as far as he has to to secure an exclusive.
Herzfeld undertakes the difficult job of balancing broad humor and visceral violence with a great deal of courage. It might not always work, but at least the writer/director is not afraid to step up to the plate and takes his swings. And it's a free-swinging riff indeed, taking satiric swipes at almost everyone in sight. Herzfeld mixes in an effective touch of romance for Fleming with television news reporter Nicolette Karas and Jordy finds a material witness very appealing.
Karel Roden and Oleg Taktarov practically steal the show from some of their better known actors co-stars. Playing the psycho Eastern Europeans with fiery flare, they are both frightening and funny. Fleming is far from a stretch for star Robert De Niro. The actor knows this territory very well and makes it look very easy. There's an edge of bigger than life in DeNiro's performance, almost in silent acknowledgement to the comic elements int he script. Ed Burns is brave and a bit too straight-laced as Jordy Warsaw. Kelsey Grammer seems comfortable dressed as Hawkins.
A splendid transfer in every respect, 15 Minutes never stops delivering sparkling images with every depraved detail revealed in gloriously garish color. Check out the explosion of color in the Times Square scenes. Each color defines its own space brilliantly. Black levels are dynamic in the interior fire sequences. Fire engine reds are reflect the action with unusual brilliance. There's no enhancement around the edges and every object is meticulously detailed. The wonderfully active Dolby Digital 5:1 surround mix captures the ambiance of the bustling city.
Another entry in New Line's Infinifilm series, 15 Minutes is chock full of extras. John Herzfeld's audio commentary is articulate and informative expressing artistic intent and revealing technical details. Oleg's Videos are fascinating to watch. Deleted scenes are available with and without commentary by Herzfeld. Two peripheral documentaries concerning the media and crime are included as well. You can watch the film Infinifilm style with appropriate extras highlighted for digression or check out the extras after viewing the film.