The Last Minute (2001)

Oh, it sucks to be ugly...

Genre: Drama Mystery Thriller (USA, UK)

Starring: Max Beesley (Torque), Emily Corrie

Directed By: Stephen Norrington (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; Blade)

Overview: Billy Byrne's rocket to the top ends in a big crash. Throughout, he contemplates the worth of his life against the ticking of the Big Clock.

Acting: The acting was pretty spectacular I must say. From those ruffian drug lords to the main characters, consistently impressive. Those kids are certainly sure to get another role or too as well. I must say the direction and the characters were top-notch.
Rating: 9

Cinematography: The look was appropriately hip and/or bleak, there were a few neat effects, but this isn't what I'd say was particularly drawing to the film. Good and professional, that's about it.
Rating: 7

Script: The writing was very decent, it was nonsensical when it had to be, and the rest of the time we understood Billy's selfish drive, his obsession almost. Again though, nothing grand.
Rating: 7

Plot: The plot throws you for a loop frankly, and I'm not talking in that The Life Aquatic kind of way. It's genuinely as though they took important plot elements directly out of the movie on purpose because they couldn't come up with the "Art" that was the subject of his rise and fall. As for the whole ticking clock thing, it was a decent character drive, but it didn't seem to mesh as a goal with his actions.
Rating: 6

Mood: One thing that IS consistent is the constant reminder to the audience about what's really important to our main character, "spending our time" wisely. The film opens up with a mathematical declaration that our lives are shorter than we expect. He breaks it down (which makes us a little queasy, frankly) and throughout, it is the constant theme. It's a good one, but overall the film had me lost. If they whole premise at his failure is a bad art show, then why can't we see the art, the very subject of his failure?
Rating: 7

The real mystery is why I bothered...

Overall Rating: 72% (Might be Worth Your Time)

Aftertaste: Not something I'd recommend unless you're really into Brit film. I personally don't know anyone who's "really into Brit film", so be cautious. If all these actors were in something else I'd see it. Jason Isaacs was my favorite of that bunch, he plays Malfoy's father in the Harry Potter series, and his role of Percy was really important in putting this film into the "decent" category.