Today’s Prayer Focus

15 Minutes

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for strong violence, language, and some sexuality.
Moral Rating: not reviewed
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Action Crime Thriller Drama
Length: 2 hr.
Year of Release: 2001
USA Release: March 9, 2001 (wide)
15 Minutes poster.click photos to ENLARGE Melina Kanakaredes in 15 Minutes
Relevant Issues
Robert De Niro in 15 Minutes

About murder in the Bible

Death in the Bible

Final judgment

VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer

Featuring Robert De Niro, Edward Burns, Melina Kanakaredes, Kelsey Grammer, Avery Brooks
Director John Herzfeld
Producer David Blocker, John Herzfeld, Keith Addis, Nick Wechsler
Distributor Distributor: New Line Cinema. Trademark logo.New Line Cinema, division of Warner Bros. Pictures

Here’s what the distributor says about their film: Robert De Niro is a police detective investigating a brutal murder committed by a psychopath who was seeking his 15 minutes of fame. As media sources are pulled into the case, a sensational atmosphere develops. Television reporters and tabloid journalists devour and exploit each new detail, obscuring the truth. Written and directed by John Herzfeld, 15 MINUTES is a driving mystery-suspense thriller.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
“15 Minutes” is a very intense and violent movie with a poignant message about the effects of media on today’s society and its criminals. It is well acted and directed and successfully combines elements of investigation from the perspective of both the police and fire departments. It should absolutely not be viewed by children. Anyone who goes to see it should be prepared to view lots of rage, tension, profanity, blood and several dead, mutilated (even burned) bodies. There is also nudity and prostitution.

I left wishing I had chosen something a little more benign and my shoulders ached from the tension. It may not be worth all of the imagery and junk but it does give you a lot to think about.
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 4]
CCW, age 26
This is one of those films that makes its point by showing the audience how graphic and sickening violent crime is. Because of this, people are left feeling angry that anyone could get away with it, especially through the media (a la OJ Simpson). Edward Burns and Robert De Niro light up the screen in one of the best settings of modern New York that I’ve ever seen.

The movie was direct and to-the-point. This picture has nothing to do with Christ, but everything to do with how people indulge themselves with the sin of others, something that God readily detests. There is a powerful scene (through television) of a father on his knees, begging his son for forgiveness after sleeping with his son’s wife. You’re left feeling cheated and mad that something so private and awful would ever be shown to millions around the world.

The ending is a cop-out, but the style and flow of the movie is tense, and allows the audience to really KNOW the characters. As for the dialogue, the film is gross and vulgar at times, but the characters are brought out and supported perfectly throughout. Kudos to the Director for the style and guts to make such an amazing film.
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 4½]
Matthew Paulus, age 24
…very well made. It has a lot to say about our culture making criminals and murders celebrities. This movie does contain graphic violence, but that’s what the movie is about. …one of the years best films.
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 5]
John Klassen, age 29
Repeated and extremely graphic violence. Frequent excessive coarse language, including constant use of the f-word. Suggestiveness and nudity in a scene with a call girl who ends up brutally murdered. We should have walked out because it never got any better. If you want an enjoyable and uplifting evening, DON’T ruin it on “15 Minutes”! It’s 121 minutes of garbage. A trash movie trying to make trash TV look bad.

This is the kind of movie you don’t want to admit you actually saw! Need I say more!
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 1½]
Barry, age 44
Objectionable is a subjective term, however, I find that most if not all Christians to view this would find a great deal objectionable. There is graphic violence, a lengthy nude scene, and plenty of foul language. The action in the movie at times is ridiculous, as well as main characters go off on their own little tirades. This is not one of DeNiro’s better works, and paints him in a pretty dim light. Although the world sees him as a celebrity detective, he in fact is constantly on the bottle, and has his own “technique” to disguise his drunkenness while at work.

While the ending was mildly entertaining, I feel guilty admitting I enjoyed any of this film due to its objectionable nature.
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 2½]
Chris, age 34
Neutral—When Jordy and Daphene are in her apartment, as Jody was about to leave he noticed Eddie badge and took it. There was no scene prior to that showing Eddie in her apartment. How did his badge show up there?
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Marie Stella, age 84 (USA)
Comments from young people
I didn’t lose any sleep after watching this film, though I think others will find it offensive due to the language, violence and slight sexual content… Christian viewers will most likely be put off by the obscenities and violence in the film. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, though if you do end up seeing, it be prepared.
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 4]
Daniel, age 13
Movie Critics
…“15 Minutes” is actually good for about 30. After that, the movie devours itself, weighed down by a hackneyed story, ridiculous plot developments and a silly windup that flies way over the top…
Bill Muller, The Arizona Republic
…Violence is rated as extreme due to various murders and other killings, some of which are very bloody and/or gory…
ScreenIt!
…thinks it has something to say about our nation’s obsession with crime and celebrity, but it’s merely just a muddled disaster of conflicting ideas and outright hyperbole…
J. Robert Parks, The Phantom Tollbooth

…Graphic violence, nudity, and seventy-one obscenities help 15 MINUTES earn a severely objectionable rating…

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