Nick of Time - 1995

Paramount Pictures

Directed by John Badham

Cast:

• Gene Watson – Johnny Depp
• Lynn Watson – Courtney Chase
• Mr. Smith – Christopher Walken
• Huey – Charles S. Dutton
• Ms. Jones – Roma Maffia
• Gov. Eleanor Grant – Marsha Mason
• Brendan Grant – Peter Strauss
• Krista Brooks – Gloria Reuben
• Officer Trust – Bill Smitrovich

Story: Gene Watson is coming from San Diego on the train with his daughter, Lynn. He arrives in Los Angeles and is headed to an appointment when he and his daughter are stopped by two police officers as they are leaving the train station and asked to come with them. They get into a van, where the man tells Mr. Watson he has two choices, do what he is told or they will kill his daughter. The time is shortly after noon. Mr. Smith tells Mr. Watson to go to the Bonaventure Hotel and kill the Governor. He has until 1:30 p.m., or his daughter dies. While Mr. Watson tries to figure a way out of killing the Governor, he discovers there are more people involved than just the two people who have kidnapped him. The plot leads all the way to the Governor's husband.

Review: Johnny Depp as your average Joe C.P.A.? Naw, say it isn't so. Isn't this the guy who rose to fame with strange robotic blades for fingers, with an eye-patch and catchy phrases, with a reputation for playing the strange and unusual? Well, the role may not be strange or unusual, but the movie certainly is. For one thing, it is extremely rare for a 90 minute movie to actually happen in 90 minutes. But Nick of Time is about the occurrences in Gene Watson's life over a span of 90 minutes. Christopher Walken shines as the SOB cop/assassin who manipulates Depp's character, and Roma Maffia excels as his partner. I think the most interesting aspect of this film is combining two powerful character actors (Depp and Walken) across from each other. The action is fast and non-stop, and the tension builds throughout the film. When Depp finally finds help in the form of Charles S. Dutton, a shoe shine man in the lobby of the Bonaventure, the help comes in the strangest way. Rated R for violence and language, this is a interesting, breakneck paced film that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.