88 Minutes

88 Minutes

Jon Avnet’s 88 Minutes is not only a story of action and adventure, but one of passion, and the desire to do what’s right even in the face of adversity. Jack Grahm is a forensic psychologist, a man who has made innumerous enemies. Now he has to find who is behind the threatening phone calls he is receiving. A series of odd occurrences and attacks begin to surround him, and as Dr. Grahm learns more and more details about his assailant, he becomes motivated to an even greater degree to solve his own murder before it happens. Avnet uses a wide variety of artistic techniques to subconsciously illustrate different plot points to the viewer.
One artistic tool used in the film is a film color scheme/quality technique. The director made 3 portions of the film appear to be taken from a late 60’s or early 70’s camera. This is done to provide the audience with a visual cue to a time separation. This technique is used when our main character has flashbacks to his early 20’s.
Another method used in the film is to portray emotion in a scene using a color scheme. In the final sequence, when Lydia is about to murder Dean Johnson and Kim, a palette of cold blues is used. Everything appears to be washed out with diluted sunlight. This portrays the emotions of Ms. Daugrhty, the person who controls the scene, and her desire to do whatever it takes for the love of one man. Towards the end of the scene, when Frank shoots Lydia, we see it gradually become lighter.
One tool used is a “talisman”; an inanimate object that reflects some aspect of a person. Jack’s watch is a talisman for him. His watch allows him to keep track of time, and is key in his survival. The watch truly represents his life, in more ways than one. For example, the watch is never broken throughout the film, in all the trials and tribulations he endures. Also, the watch does not have an eternal lifespan, after a period without being wound or having its batteries replaced, it will cease to...