After trumpeting through the festival circuit in 2003 and garnering all positive remarks, 11:14 never received the widespread US distribution that first-time writer/director Greg Marcks desired. Instead, more than two years after his picture debuted at various film festivals, New Line released the film in one theater nationwide and then dumped it on DVD. It is truly an indignity that so few eyes have been subjected to this film; this ultra-limited release is a treasure of a find.
The definitive reason why Marcks’ feature was not purchased by a major production company sooner is that no studio could decide on how to market the film. Was it a clever gimmick, a black comedy, or an insistent drama? Well, the answer is: it’s all three. 11:14 is a screenplay that any writer would be proud of; it’s taut, original, and capable of captivating an audience as it folds back upon itself in a deeply intriguing manner.
11:14 has already been called a combination of Go, Crash, and Memento. Yes, it’s an intertwining ensemble piece, and yes, the story unfolds in a non-chronological order; however, this film applies an entirely different central premise than the aforementioned.
In eighty-five minutes, 11:14 connects the lives of 11 characters in five separate storylines. Each of these character’s actions crisscross with negative consequences, as the clock strikes precisely 11:14 pm—unveiling murder, deceit, and a series of sorrowful emotions. Providing any more details would most likely lessen the shock-value of each plot element as it is revealed.
While Marcks’ direction is superb—for a new-comer to the game, his concept of the reality of time seems a little distorted. For instance, Cheri’s last 20 minutes feel more like 45. In addition, Marcks could have easily tacked on an additional 15-20 minutes to the conclusion to both provide closure and allow the characters to breathe. Nonetheless, Marcks wholly succeeds with a crisp script packed with creative characterizations and sharp twists—making his name one to keep an eye on in the future.
Article comments
1 - Vesna
Delighted with the film. Have just seen it.Something quite new among hundreds of
similar boring films. Humor, suspense,
unexpected events. Bravo.
2 - Roger Dee
I was intrigued by this film the first time I saw the first half of it.
In viewing the entire work today I was taken by the precision of the backward movement of horrific events. Our brains are really wired for progressive events unfolding in any story. To encounter the series of interconnected lives and how they each interrelate with crashing force was vitally disturbing. The backward brilliance of this story was truly satisfying to the lover of film noir.