57 Seconds: A Time-Twisting Thriller That Doesn’t Overstay Its Welcome
Franklin (Josh Hutcherson), a struggling writer churning out medical articles and maintaining his “Antidote” blog, dreams of interviewing biotech guru Anton Burrell (Morgan Freeman). He manages to sneak into the presentation of Burrell’s latest gadget – an upgraded bracelet promising to cure a vast array of ailments. When an assassination attempt targets Burrell, Franklin inadvertently saves the day. In the ensuing chaos, he picks up Burrell’s ring, a seemingly innocuous act that will drastically alter his life. One press of the ring, and he can rewind time by 57 seconds.
Morgan Freeman as Anton Burrell
A Director’s Return to the Big Screen
Director Rusty Cundieff, despite nearly three decades in the industry, remains largely unknown. After bouncing between low-budget TV series and holiday films, with occasional forays into horror anthologies, Cundieff hasn’t helmed a project intended for the big screen since the early 1990s. “57 Seconds” is, undeniably, a product of studio oversight, lacking true originality. Yet, the film manages to hold the viewer’s attention, thanks in part to co-writer Macon Blair. Blair, a Sundance winner for “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore,” is also the mind behind the cult favorite “Room 104,” the misunderstood “Hold the Dark,” and the upcoming “Toxic Avenger” remake. It seems that even on a purely commercial project, Blair couldn’t help but add his unique touch.
Josh Hutcherson as Franklin
Time Travel Without the Headache
What sets “57 Seconds” apart from other time travel narratives is the absence of negative consequences for the protagonist. Every instance of rewinding benefits him. No paradoxes, no alternate timelines – Franklin simply returns to the past with knowledge of the future. In a way, it’s the idealized version of time travel, free from moralizing. However, the film isn’t solely about manipulating time; it’s about battling a powerful and corrupt corporation, with time manipulation serving as a secondary tool.
Morgan Freeman as Anton Burrell
Familiar Faces and Predictable Motives
Josh Hutcherson, recognized for his role as Peeta Mellark in “The Hunger Games,” delivers a convincing performance as the awkward, justice-seeking Franklin. Morgan Freeman, in his seasoned years, once again embodies a god-like figure. The cast is rounded out by the protagonist’s ideal girlfriend, Jala (Lovi Simone), and a textbook villain (Greg Germann). The characters’ motivations are straightforward: avenge a sister, find a successor, amass wealth – the specifics are almost interchangeable. What matters more is the film’s pacing, which avoids both Benny Hill-esque chases and lengthy, preachy monologues.
The film’s established rhythm (and Hutcherson’s charisma) prevents viewers from dwelling on plot holes or the story’s familiarity. Even the “quantum physics” explanation for the ring’s functionality doesn’t grate. From location to location, from one small discovery to the next, the film breezes by. It opens with a dynamic cold open scene, plunging the audience into a plane crash. Maintaining that level of intensity for the following 90 minutes is a challenge, but the filmmakers succeed.
Despite its seemingly algorithm-driven origins, “57 Seconds” emerges as a solid genre piece. While not groundbreaking, with a bit more effort and marketing, it could have been a successful niche hit, akin to the similarly themed “Totally Killer.”