Mikes Film Talk

23 Minutes to Sunrise is an old fashioned sort of film. Released in 2012, it is quirky and a full step into the Noir genre.

This small budget feature uses a lot of local talent to tell its tale. Except for the presence of Eric Roberts. He plays a sinister, or at least nasty, character who shows up at a diner 23 minutes to sunrise. Roberts’ does nothing outside of his normal range. But doggone it , what he does is good regardless of how big his role, or just what it entails. Julia Roberts’ sibling is infinitely watchable regardless of what part he plays.

The Story & Mystery Man

In this low/no budget feature film, Roberts’ mystery man, aka; Daniel, appears to be death. At least I thought so until he reveals himself to be much more. He enters the graveyard shift of an all night diner.

The establishment feels like a throwback to those eateries of the 1950s. Like the one featured in the film Diner. Where the waitress actually pours every customer a cup of coffee, whether they ask for one or not.

Daniel, points this out when she fills his empty cup. Meanwhile the waitress explains to his young lady friend that it is the late night menu. Only items on the back of the list can be ordered.

Ensemble

This is a small ensemble piece. One that features a middle-aged couple played by Bob Zany and Nia Peeples. A young couple played by Tom Sandoval and Kristen Doute. Plus, Daniel and his lady friend, Hannah; played by Haley Busch.

There is the cook, a vet who has issues, who is played by Dingani Beza. Last but by no means least, there is the waitress played by Jilanne Klaus. There are other characters who appear fleetingly. The waitress’s drunken bully of a husband, a simple minded man who dresses as a superhero. There are also a couple of cops. Each of these other cast members appear sporadically. Some like the wastrel husband, several times Their presence helps to round out the film’s populace.

Immortality

23 Minutes to Sunrise is about immortality, whether it is a gift or a curse. How would someone react if offered this chance to “live forever.” In Eddie’s case, the Gulf War veteran turned cook initially refuses point blank. He does this despite being shown that the young lady is not delusional.

The film has an old fashioned feel to it. Almost like a film version of the play about three friends who discover the fountain of youth. A sort of morality tale with a confusing end. Yet, it is oddly watchable. The dialogue often misleads the viewer just enough to keep things interesting.

Daniel comes in with his teenage friend. The two speak in such a way that it seems that the older man is grooming the young lady. The dialogue screams pedophile and victim. After listening to the couple for a bit longer, though, it turns out that he was grooming her. Not for sex but for the offer of immortality. She has indeed taken him up on the offer.

She has the last 23 minutes of the night, before the sun rises, to get rid of this gift. One she has learned to loathe. She must convince someone in the room to take over the “gift” of living forever. The eternal 17 year old wants out, as she says earlier, she has no family, friends and no life.

The character also has not learned a lot during her 250 years of being a teenager. She does not possess the skills of persuasion. The teen cannot convince any of the diner’s customers or staff to take the gift at first.

Budget Issues

There are things in the movie that annoy. Apparently the budget was so small on the film that blanks and a working pistol could not be provided. The use of sound, light, the actor jerking his hand; did nothing to convince me that he shot the weapon.

This one “cheat” did not spoil the film but did let it down considerably. The overall rating of 23 Minutes to Sunrise on IMDb is pretty low with a figure of 4. The one review by a customer is scathing and insulting. The film is interesting and definitely does not deserve the severe pasting received. Perhaps not worth the $3.99 paid at the truck stop, but worth watching if it turns up on Netflix or YouTube.

23 Minutes to Sunrise  was made with local actors, with the exception of Roberts and Nia Peeples. This is pretty impressive. The overall feature works pretty darn well. It is certainly interesting enough and no worse than many other low/no budget films on offer. The film is worthy of a look as it does make the viewer think.

The Trailer