12:01, testigo del tiempo

This is my my second movie I saw where the day keeps repeating. The first one was a short on Showtime. It was a serious flick. In that one, it was worse; in that movie the same HOUR kept repeating as opposed to the same DAY repeating, not to mention that that flick was NON-comedy. Anyway, I was glad to see that that this film had some comedic elements. I like to find my favorite line in a movie. In this one, it would have to be where his mom calls, and Barry tells his mom "I can't talk right now, mom. The day's repeating" and hangs up. I saw it when it ORIGINALLY came on TV, so I don't remember it much, but I do remember I thought it was 2 hours well spent.

On a side note, I saw Groundhog Day after this movie. Groundhog Day is different enough from this movie so you can watch both and not feel like you're having the day repeat. (sorry, COULDN'T resist).

I can't really express in writing just how extremely happy I am that 12:01 is finally out on DVD. It's been on my wish list since the DVD format was invented. The only copy I had was on the VHS that I had recorded off the air (with commercials (:(( on FOX-TV in 1993 and watched over and over and over, not unlike Barry's day repeating. As others have noted, the always beautiful Helen (Supergirl) Slater positively glows in this film. In the lead role, Jonathan Silverman excels as the discouraged office worker who witnesses his only real love being murdered in broad daylight, then being given the chance to undo it, while being thwarted at every turn.

As a fan of all time-warp stories, I count this as my favorite. Had it been released in the theater, it would have done very well indeed. It is good for all ages to see the the lengths that the hero of the story goes to in his desperate attempt to save the lady that he loves from afar. Ten stars out of ten and two thumbs up from me.

Run, don't walk, to get this exceptional movie while it's available!

The HR clerk Barry Thomas (Jonathan Silverman) works in the office of a power plant with his best friend Howard Richter (Jeremy Piven) and has a crush on the scientist Lisa Fredericks (Helen Slater). One day, he wakes-up late and heads to the office. On the lunch time, he has a contact with Lisa at the restaurant and by the end of the day, Barry and Howard witness Lisa being assassinated by hitmen in a van. On the next morning, he wakes-up late and when he see Lisa, he realizes that the day is repeating. Soon he realizes that he is trapped on the same day and is the only person who knows it. What can he do to save Lisa and let life goes on?

"12:01" is an unknown little gem for many viewers and unforgettable for those who has seen it. Released in the same year of the blockbuster "Groundhog Day", the cute "12:01" is more engaging with nice characters and situations. Unfortunatelly this B-movie was only released on VHS in Brazil. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "12:01 - Meia-Noite e Um" ("12:01 - One Minute Past Midnight")

Note: On 08 Feb 2018, I saw this film again on DVD.

...out of all the good reviews from people that liked this film, a crummy review was displaying on the main page.

This movie stuck with me, and every time I watch it I enjoy it all the more. As with Groundhog Day, I enjoy watching this movie over and over. But they are two different movies, altogether.

I must say (without spoiling) that the scene in the office where Jonathan Silverman tells Slater how he feels about her is one of the most touching, romantic, well-played scenes I have ever seen.

I thought the underplayed comedy was great and perfect for Silverman's abilities, and as for Slater and her performance, all I can say is: YUMMY!

I put a tape in the video machine one night to record this unknown film called "12:01" - the synopsis in the TV guide seemed interesting. I kept that tape for months, watching it over and over, just to see the subtle changes in each day being lived again. Brilliant.

Everybody seems to rave about how "original" Groundhog Day was/is but I saw "12:01" on UK TV well before Groundhog Day even hit the cinemas over here. "12:01" may have been a low-budget TVM and may have its flaws but the concept of the day after day scenario is just as good.

The sad thing is that I actually logged on tonight to order both "12:01" and Groundhog Day but I can't find a UK supplier of "12:01" and it would be such a shame if it were never seen again.