30 Minutes or Less
2011 · Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Original language: English
- action
- adventure
- comedy
The story
Two fledgling criminals kidnap a pizza delivery guy, strap a bomb to his chest, and advise him that he has mere hours to rob a bank or else...
What it’s like
Bright, flat suburban daylight over strip malls, cul-de-sacs and sun-faded storefronts, shot in a bouncy handheld style that keeps the camera close to the cast and the cuts quick. The palette runs to warm beige, fast-food red and dusty Michigan greens, with the occasional sun-washed night in a parked car or a dim basement lit by a single lamp. The score is a loud, cheerfully aggressive pop-rock and hip-hop mix, and the sound design leans on rattling chains and ticking clocks for a bit of nervous energy. The vibe is scrappy, sarcastic and slapdash, a low-stakes caper that pokes fun at its own panic. It suits a lazy Saturday, a late-night watch with friends, or a comedy-only pick when you want something loud and daft rather than tender. Pacing is brisk and talky, with long bickering scenes punctuated by sudden bursts of slapstick. The arc follows two bumbling, petty men who drag an ordinary delivery guy into their mess, and the emotional register stays jokey with a few sincere beats of friendship. Violence is frequent but mostly cartoonish: a few gunshots, a couple of bloody injuries, some crude language and sexual jokes, and a tense bomb-vest premise that keeps the dread comic rather than grim. It is for viewers who want raucous, foul-mouthed comedy with a lot of energy.
More films like 30 Minutes or Less
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved 30 Minutes or Lessand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
