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There's
no escaping the fact that we live in an age where the media
can change the lives of individuals forever. Just take a look
at the Popstars phenomenon.
15
Minutes looks at the darker side of fame as two killers
from the Czech Republic come to America intent on making their
mark in grisly fashion.
As
one murders his victims, his partner calmly films the
dirty deed, at one point even stopping the killing to
discuss the best way of shooting the death. Not that this
is new to the film world - remember Peeping Tom?
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| Andy
Warhol - it's all his fault |
The pair
believe they can sell the footage to news companies, write
a top selling book about their crimes and then escape severe
punishment by claiming insanity.
This is
what America has come to and the killers aren't far wrong.
Television companies are certainly queuing up for the gore
fest, especially TV presenter Kelsey Grammer who knows blood
and death will make him more famous.
Homicide
Detective Eddie Flemming (De Niro) is called upon to solve
the crime. He's already a celebrity himself, used to cameras
following him around on his investigations.
So the
scene is set. People will do anything for their fifteen minutes
of fame.
There's
certainly enough action in this movie, not to mention blood.
If anything, the message that we must beware of the power
of the media and what people will do to be famous, is overplayed.
But in
terms of fulfilling its brief of an action thriller it succeeds.
It's to be hoped it doesn't give too many people - criminals
and broadcasters alike - too many wrong ideas.
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