Oftentimes it is not what story is being told but how it is being told. Filmmaker Josh Becker (Xena: Warrior Princess) has not had the opportunity to flex his filmmaking skills as much as grade school friend Sam Raimi, but at least one of his feature films stands out as something pretty special. Following in the footsteps of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope, and acting as one of the various forebears to the Academy Award-nominated 1917, Becker crafted the illusion of a single-take feature for his 1997 crime thriller Running Time. With some help from his other grade school friend Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead), Becker made one of the most independently-minded films you could imagine with black-and-white photography and a gritty aesthetic which allows you to buy into the illusion even further. The film’s ambitions do not extend beyond the stylistic conceit, but what it manages to accomplish in this tightly-packed narrative is quite thrilling.
The film opens up with a stylish, throwback opening credits sequence which conjures up memories of the great Saul Bass. This also feeds into the deceptive idea of when exactly this story takes place. While certain automobiles and architecture may narrow down your choices, the overall vibes of the film is uniquely out of time. Campbell plays prison inmate Carl Matushka who is finally getting out after a lengthy stint in the joint. The opening scene shows Carl having a final chat with his warden (Art LaFleur) in which he appears to have been reformed. He has served his time and he aims to get out of prison and use skills he learned in prison to get into the laundry business with his friend. Little do we know that his friend is waiting for him right outside the prison gates, and this cleverly thrown-away line is a small hint he dropped about a heist he is about to embark on the moment he sets foot outside the prison walls. He has valuable information about a lucrative money drop off connected with a prison contractor, and he is worried if he sits on the information the pattern might change. This man has not gone straight, and in the next hour he will learn which direction his life is going to go.
The script itself is nothing too groundbreaking. Carl and his friend Patrick (Jeremy Roberts) in particular seem to be having exchanges reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino with clever, familiar beats that build rapid character development in the lead up to the job. There are also the expected elements of the “perfect” crime slowly going to pieces one element at a time. Whether it is the unreliable vehicle or the team member that seems a little untrustworthy, Becker includes most of the hallmarks of the genre confidently. Surprisingly, there is even time for a bit of romance as Carl gets to let off a bit of post-prison steam with a hired escort (Anita Barone), who actually has a history with our protagonist. While not executed perfectly, it is the moments with Barone which lend the story its emotional impact. Questions over whether or not a person can evolve or be forgiven for their misdeeds loom large as we close in on the conclusion. When there are shortcomings in the writing or performances, Campbell is usually rock-solid and charismatic enough to keep you riveted until the end.
Excluding opening and closing credits, this movie clocks in at just an hour in length, but this is the perfect length for the story Becker is trying to execute without too much fat weighing it down. Due to the nature of how this film was shot without permits and choreographed, there are some messy moments in the running-and-gunning you see on screen. This is part of the film’s independent charm, though. The stakes are not so high as to be unbelievable, and the character dynamics are not so complex as to be underserved. The unbearable tension begins to dissipate in the last 15 minutes or so, but if you become invested in the emotional stakes these moments should be just as satisfying as the crime elements. The concept of showcasing a film as if it is a single take can feel a bit indulgent, but when done right it can make for a very engrossing experience. Becker has a real keen sense of propulsive editing techniques and camera movements that draw you even further into particular moments. This movie goes down easy thanks to the fluid nature of the action and the engaging performances from the actors. It’s a real blast from beginning to end.
Video Quality
Running Time comes to Blu-Ray from Synapse Films with a stunning 1080p image from a new 2K scan and restoration of the original camera negative. This new image really elevates this low-budget nineties production to something of great beauty. The image is incredibly detailed with fine textures present in the production design and in clothing. Just take a look at the opening shots in the warden’s office to see how clearly the items on the desk look. There is no trace of compression artifacts, digital noise or other such nuisances. The black-and-white photography has some nice contrast and natural gradients. There did not appear to be much hope that this film would ever hit Blu-Ray, but now that we have it I cannot imagine watching it any other way.
Audio Quality
The audio portion of the disc also gets an upgrade in the form of a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track. Dialogue comes through crystal clear right in the center channel. Sounds are balanced well with nothing ever feeling overpowered. The music is utilized in the story nicely and is rendered well within the mix. The track leaves you fully immersed in this world with only a few fleeting moments where you notice the limitations of the original recording. Synapse Films has done a great job of delivering the best audio track possible for this one.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Director Josh Becker and Star Bruce Campbell deliver a fun and informative commentary track in which the two discuss their love of an opening title sequence, the unique editing credit on the film, the complexities of shooting in chronological order, shooting a sex scene in real time (with Campbell’s wife watching), the various performers in the film and more. These two have a lot of history together and are great about revealing a lot of interesting details.
- Run and Gun with Bruce Campbell: A nearly 21-minute new featurette with the always-enjoyable Bruce Campbell in which he talks about his initial friendship with director Josh Becker (and Sam Raimi), working as a producer for Becker after his initial move to Hollywood, the inspiration for Running Time, the complex choreography in the film, the policy to “just keep going”, capturing the sound, his feelings about the film and more. Campbell has the best stories!
- Archival 1997 Freaky Film Festival Q&A Video: A 20-minute piece in which Becker and Campbell kill time waiting for the video master of their film to be set up by taking questions from the audience. Topics include work done on the Hercules series, the creative process, shooting Homicide, his surreal meeting with Ellen DeGeneres for her series, the importance of creative control and more.
- Original Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
Running Time is an impeccably executed independent feature where daring filmmaking and passionate performances elevate a familiar script. Bruce Campbell is the perfect actor to lead this project with his effortless brand of charm and cunning. The film may feel a bit on the slight side with its brisk runtime, but it should be commended for being only as long as the narrative demands it to be. Synapse Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a really stellar A/V presentation and a nice assortment of special features. If you are a Bruce Campbell fan or just a fan of tightly-packed crime-thrillers, definitely give this one a shot. Recommended
Running Time is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Synapse Films has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.