Meurtre en suspens

I am a huge Christopher Walken fan so that was my motivation for seeing this film. I must first say that it is similar to "Speed" but I thought this was much more entertaining. The movie is entertaining and it has a few great little speeches by Mr. Walken. Johnny Depp is cool as a normal guy trying to be the hero. Watch this movie if you love these two actors. If you do not like Walken then you will probably not like the film (but who doesn't like Christopher Walken?!)

A clever idea - an thriller played along real time to involve the viewer directly in the tension and pressure of the deadlines. Depp is forced to kill a senator or his daughter will be killed by Walken and Maffia. He is given a gun and a time limit to carry it out.

As the basis for a thriller it doesn't quite work - the real time concept falls apart a few times, but with this much talent on board it still holds it own. A throwback to the Hitchcock everyman thrillers of years ago, Depp plays his character well and you always believe he is just an ordinary man in an unbelievable situation rather than an action hero in the making while Walken does what he does best and plays the villain well.

The plot holds together well and you really find stuff out at the same time as Depp does. Some of the conspiracy stuff towards the end of the film is obvious and doesn't add anything to the film, but the main story revolving around Depp and Walken is tense enough to carry the film.

It doesn't contain any explosions or martial arts but the tension is good throughout. It's not a classic thriller but it's quite an original idea and plot and almost manages to keep the tension for the whole movie.

This Hichcockian movie deals with an accountant named Watson (Johnny Depp) arriving in L.A. Union Station accompanied by his little daughter named Lynn (Courtney Chase). He's approached by a pair of rare people (Christopher Walken, Roma Maffia). The daughter is taken hostage into a van and Watson suffers a blackmail , he's given a gun with six bullets and he must go to the Bonaventure Hotel and commit a murder on a known people (Marsha Mason) . Watson is only helped by a shoeshine worker (Charles S Dutton).

Gripping, original action movie with Depp desperately trying to find the means to avoid his daughter to be murdered. Excellent thriller full of intrigue and tense , this is a fast-paced, stylized action-suspense film . The tension of this picture keeps snowballing as the clock ticks ever close for killing the starring's daughter . The tale appears to be unfolded in real time as the many on screen clocks will verify. Most unusual is the device of having the victim play desperado and hunt the killers, and saving his daughter , as time runs out. Casting is frankly magnificent, Johnny Deep as a tormented businessman who becomes involved into a twisted plot , Christopher Walken takes honors as a psychopath who attempts to turn the tables on the victim before he can inform the police . Plus, a good secondary cast , such as Peter Strauss, Roma Maffia, Gloria Reuben, Marsha Mason, G D Spradlin, among them . Adequate musical score accompanying the action by Arthur B. Rubinstein and inventively photographed by Roy Wagner. The motion picture was well directed by John Badham. He's a nice director who achieved his greatest success in the 80s . He directed several hits (Saturday night fever, Short circuit, Blue thunder, Drop zone, War games, Skateout), though today making TV movies (Jack Bull, Floating away) and television episodes (Crossing Jordan ,Psych, Las Vegas , Standoff, Heroes).

I thought this was a pretty good movie. A suspenseful movie, Hitchcockian in that an innocent man gets involved in a deadly plot. An intriguing plot that had me thinking what I would do in the situation. Christopher Walken was, as usual, creepy and Johnny Depp was believable. The rest of the cast was very competent. I'd advise renting it. Not a special effects extravaganza but a nicely written fast moving movie.

When you see the name Wes Craven, John Carpenter or Brian de Palma, we know that we can trust that we're in for a couple of hours of fine entertainment.

Although not as much a household name as the directors above, John Badham knows how to tell a suspenseful story as well as any of the other "kids on the block." Please look up his filmography and see all the countless house of excellent entertainment he has brought us; not only on the big screen but on television as well.

In "Nick of Time" John carefully guides us through one disaster after another. Johnny Depp conveys his frustration and fear that he might not be able to prevent any of the bad things that will happen.

Christopher Walken again proves that he is as comfortable being the "heavy" as he has been the "hero."

At a time when sometimes the good guys don't always win and the bad guys sometimes "get away with it," this is one cinematic thriller that should keep you on the edge of your seat the whole 90 minutes.