'88 Minutes' shows time is ticking for Pacino

By Steve Persall, Times Film Critic
In print: Thursday, April 17, 2008

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ADVERTISEMENT [Columbia Pictures] Al Pacino plays Jack Gramm, a psychiatrist who may be a target for a man he sent to prison.

Remember when the release of an Al Pacino movie used to be an event? These days, the Academy Award-winning actor bounces between projects too high-minded (Looking for Richard) or lowbrow (Two for the Money) to matter. Even a self-reverential celebrity turn in Ocean's Thirteen didn't have that old "HOO-ah!'' feeling.

88 Minutes (R) appears to be more of the same inconsequential Pacino, judging from preview trailers and a noticeable shortage of studio hype. The film wasn't shown to critics in time for Weekend review.

Pacino plays forensic psychiatrist Jack Gramm, whose testimony sent a serial killer (Neal McDonough) to death row. The condemned man, who believes Jack tinkered with the evidence, may be masterminding revenge from behind bars.

A series of copycat murders lures Jack back to the case when a telephone call informs him he has 88 minutes to live — same as the inmate's deadline. Jack sorts through a variety of suspects to solve the case. Then maybe he'll have time to turn his keen detective skills to Pacino's career.

Steve Persall, Times film critic