Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Running Time'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There's always been a great debate in film and literature, the age-old question of when does an homage cross the line and become a flat out rip off? You know exactly what I mean. We've all sat through a movie or read a book and said to ourselves 'Really? This is exactly like...' moments before we find ourselves annoyed and ready to either put the story down or walk out of the theater.  

Yet there are so many times when we sit through a film or finish a book and praise its brilliance for having the guts to take on the challenge of paying tribute. Fact of the matter is, it's really all in the delivery, and there are no two ways about it, we prefer the classy tribute any day of the week. We can't stand it when the filmmaker or writer just phones in a cheap knock off, we want something sublime. Now speaking of the sublime, as I was going through my movie collection this past weekend, I stumbled on a motion picture that pays respect to a classic film in style...Running Time. 

There is nothing like sweet freedom, and for Carl, his stint in the joint could not have come to an end sooner. Finally free from the Grey Bar Hotel, Carl returns to civilized life, with a plan to secure his financial freedom as well by pulling off one last heist. One that rips off the crooked warden of the exact prison that he just walked away from.  

So where does one find an homage to a legend of Hollywood within a crime thriller? The answer is simple, in how the movie is shot.  While Running Time boasts an awesome plot, its visual flair is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock and his film Rope, a film that Hitchcock wanted to appear as one long continuous take. Now doing something like this digitally today is not a problem. But using actual film as both of these motion pictures did, that's one tall order, as since film canisters usually only hold about ten minutes worth of film. Yet, Rope appears to never have a single cut, all thanks to creative camera work.  

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​Running Time manages to pull off this incredible trick and well...improve upon it. While Rope was filmed on a sound stage, allowing for optimal control of the film and allowing for it to be filmed in color, Running Time is set out in the real world, and filmed in black and white. The end result of this change to the formula is visceral and wholly unique. As since the black and white format allows for a beautiful classic feel to the film, evoking a sense of noir, all while feeling linear courtesy of what appears to be one massive take. 

Yet while this film is an interesting study in camera work and linear storytelling, it has an even better surprise...acting legend Bruce Campbell. Yes, that's right, Bruce just so happens to play Carl and as always is a joy to watch because let's face it, the man is an acting machine and makes Carl his own. This is important to the story because unlike Rope, which took its time in telling the tale, Running Time has a…running time of only 70 minutes. Giving Bruce seemingly little wiggle room to bring Carl to life, but he manages to pull it off.  

If you haven't seen this movie yet, hunt it down and check it out simply due to the fact that it has so much going for it. A solid plot, incredible camera work that goes above and beyond the single take concept and well...Bruce Campbell is in it, so I think that says everything you need to know when it comes to the acting. My only complaint, I would have liked it to last longer than 70 minutes because this movie grabs your attention from the moment the credits roll and leaves you wanting more. But maybe that's the trick to Running Time, to leave you with just enough so you keep coming back for another helping.   ​

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