 A FilmExposed Film Review |
 Dir: Greg Marcks, USA, 2006, 86 mins
Cast: Hilary Swank, Rachael Leigh Cook, Barbara Hershey, Patrick Swayze
The debut feature from writer/director Greg Marcks is a low-budget, inventive comedy with a non-linear structure uncharacteristic of Hollywood filmmaking. For years Marcks has been earning his stripes on the festival circuit and his background as a short film director is evident in his cleverly timed script that is more like eight short films rolled into one than a traditional cinematic feature.
Extending from the principal idea of dissecting a moment in time, the film follows an ensemble of characters in a series of seemingly unrelated events that all converge at the fateful hour of 11:14 PM. Marcks’ characters are a range of suburban misfits, including a drunk driver, protective father (Swayze), convenience store clerk (Swank) and manipulative daughter (Cook), each of whom cross paths with deadly consequences. Events of the film unfold in reverse chronology, the storylines for each character functioning as both intersecting and self-contained narratives.
The film is something of a cross-genre piece that is both experimental and darkly comic and filled with malice and ironic mishap. Cinematic purists will probably sneer at Marcks’ take on the modern feature; given the restrictions his non-traditional structure places on character development. 11:14 spans a mere half an hour of real time and its ensemble nature allows for very few moments of real intimacy with each of the characters. But hipper moviegoers will revel in its snappy pace and darkly comic tone as well as Marcks’ willingness to experiment with time and space. Likewise, Marcks proves that he’s a director who is prepared to explore the combined effects of narrative, light and sound. The film is shot entirely at night, has a thumping soundtrack and the attention paid to narrative continuity is excellent. As an overall piece 11:14 is both black comedy and suburban drama and the time-play and style seem to draw equally on Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run (1998)) and the Coen Brothers.
The cast selection features a great mix of Hollywood heavyweights and up-and-comers, all of whom make the most of their small roles. As an independent actor, Swayze continues to cut his teeth in hilarious fashion as the vigilant dad in a fat suit. Likewise, Swank brings glorious depth to the minor role of Buzzy and Cook is brilliant as the bored but wicked teenager. If there is a drawback to the film it is the slightly unpolished aesthetic, a result of the next-to-nothing budget. It will be great to see what Marcks can do with more money. Finally, there are moments of dialogue in the script where Marcks seems to push a little too hard for laughs – it isn’t necessary as he appears to be a comedic natural. The action is packed with ironic humour and features possibly the funniest scene involving a penis that you are ever likely to see. This is a cool and snappy debut. |
