Doesn't work as well as it think it does, but remains compelling, throughout.
Nick of Time (1995)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:27
Fresh:8
Rotten:19
Average Rating:4.7/10
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: In John Badham's NICK OF TIME, Johnny Depp stars as Gene Watson, a mild-mannered, widowed accountant, and the father of six-year-old Lynn (Courtney Chase). While in Los Angeles's Union train... In John Badham's NICK OF TIME, Johnny Depp stars as Gene Watson, a mild-mannered, widowed accountant, and the father of six-year-old Lynn (Courtney Chase). While in Los Angeles's Union train station, they are abducted by a mysterious couple posing as police officers, Mr. Smith (Christopher Walken) and Ms. Jones (Roma Maffia). They give Gene a loaded gun and these orders: assassinate the "flaming liberal" governor of California (Marsha Mason) within the next 90 minutes, or they will kill his beloved daughter. Gene reluctantly agrees, and he is taken to the Bonaventure Hotel where the governor is making an appearance. Tension mounts as the clock ticks and Gene must outwit his conniving kidnappers. Shot in real time, the action of the movie is documented in the actual 90 minute running time of the movie. As Gene faces his gruesome task, minutes slip away, creating a palpable tension and a breathtaking reminder of every agonizing second. Christopher Walken is at his devilish best, wickedly tormenting the innocent hero. Reminiscent of Hitchcockian dilemmas, Gene is an ordinary man trapped in an extraordinary situation, forced to act before it is too late. [More]
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christopher Walken, Marsha Mason, Roma Maffia
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christopher Walken, Marsha Mason, Roma Maffia, Courtney Chase, Charles S. Dutton
Director: John Badham
Director: John Badham
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Reviews for Nick of Time
Walken is more pantomime villain than genuine menace and Depp spends the entire film looking as though he regretted signing up for it.
This inconsequential suspense yarn brings little to the table and concludes with an unsatisfying ending -- which was more silly than tense.
Gimmicky film that takes some great actors and makes them into props. Depp plays against type, and Walken manages okay as the film operates in real time (a device used many times before and since, most recently in Fox's "24" TV show). Skip it.
Depp... is very visibly bored with this blatant bid for mainstream action stardom.
Latest News for Nick of Time
January 09, 2006:
"24" to Make the Leap from TV to Multiplex?
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, "24" producer/star Kiefer Sutherland let loose a few clues that "24" might start ticking it clock in your local... More...
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