Running Time (1997)

Running Time was filmed in black and white, in real time, and seemingly takes place in one continuous, fluid shot. It's a little like Hitchcock's "Rope," but it's on location! Carl, an ... See full summary »

Director:

Josh Becker

Writers:

Josh Becker, Peter Choi (screenplay),

Stars:

Bruce Campbell, Jeremy Roberts, Anita Barone

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce Campbell	...	Carl
Jeremy Roberts	...	Patrick
Anita Barone	...	Janie
William Stanford Davis	...	Buzz (as Stan Davis)
Gordon Jennison Noice	...	Donny (as Gordon Jennison)
Art LaFleur	...	Warden
Dana Craig	...	Mr. Mueller
Curtis Taylor	...	Prison Guard
Bridget Hoffman	...	Receptionist
Jules Desjarlais	...	Bagman (as Jules DesJarlais)
David Kirkwood	...	Security Guard
James Rose	...	Fake Shemp
Butch	...	Fake Shemp
Paul Harris	...	Fake Shemp
Jack Perez	...	Fake Shemp

Storyline

Running Time was filmed in black and white, in real time, and seemingly takes place in one continuous, fluid shot. It's a little like Hitchcock's "Rope," but it's on location! Carl, an ex-con who sets out to rob the prison laundry system where he worked for 5 years (while in the pen), has spent ten years in prison planning the ultimate heist. Upon his release, he meets up with a high school buddy, who's made all the arrangements for the job, and rented him a hooker for his first encounter in a decade with a real girl. After picking up the safecracker and their getaway driver, they've got twenty minutes to pull off the perfect heist...but soon everything falls apart before Carl's eyes. He might still get the girl, though!

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Plot Keywords:

heist | real time | safecracker | laundry | getaway driver | 

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Taglines:

Time is Running Out!

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

making of (Josh Becker)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der fast perfekte Überfall

Filming Locations:

Glendale, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$130,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blood Money Partners LP, Panoramic Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (16 mm prints) Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shot, entirely in order, in 10 days, with the last day ending at 10 AM.

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Goofs

About 41:50 into the movie, Carl ducks behind a large garbage can. A police car drives down the street, and the camera man with camera is reflected on the police car's window.

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Quotes

Patrick: I'm not stupid. I'm smart.
Carl: Oh yeah, you're smart! You failed every fucking class! You were in remedial everything! You flunked fucking gym!

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Connections

Referenced in Tainted (1998)

User Reviews

Time---The Friend and the Enemy of Us All.

Recently released convict Bruce Campbell decides to pull a daring heist with a small group of losers. Their objective is to steal money that is used by the prison for laundry services. Campbell, who learned of this while working the laundry room, is the would-be mastermind of the poorly planned job. Also along for the ride is an old high school love (Anita Barone) that Campbell may still have deep feelings for. "Running Time" was supposedly shot in one continuous take. I really do not believe this could have been made that way looking at the various locations throughout the Los Angeles area that were used. With that said, "Running Time" starts off very well but then just kind of drags its feet as the second half progresses. Campbell, arguably doing the best work of his career, steals the show and Barone's late appearance adds an interesting wrinkle that probably was not needed. Like the film itself, Campbell and Barone look great in this black-and-white product. Ultimately though the substance is lacking and "Running Time" likely would have been better as a short film than a cinematic feature. Highly interesting to an extent, but still not quite a touchdown. 2.5 out of 5 stars.