Last Minute (Region 1 Import DVD)

LAST MINUTE is a dark comedy that exudes a well-defined feeling of outlandish exaggeration and startling truth in one smoothly paced motion. Directed by Stephen Norrington (BLADE) and set in London, it is the story of Billy Byrne (Max Beesley), a self-obsessed up-and-coming star. Working as an artist, Billy is on the verge of fame, with his girlfriend and his friends firmly behind him. However, when his moment of glory comes to an abrupt end, Byrne loses everything. Depressed and alone, he finds himself sinking into the spiraling depths of the London underworld, engulfed by a shady ring of crime in a network of tunnels underneath an old theater. Billy's decisions along the way are influenced by a street-smart young girl, Anna (Emily Corrie in her feature film debut), and the horridly tainted leader of a gang of child thieves played by stage and screen actor Tom Bell. Adding to the cast, accomplished actor Jason Isaacs (THE PATRIOT, WINDTALKERS) puts forth a violent charisma as the film's quirky villain, who has a propensity for busting into song. Fresh cinematography and Norrington's hip personal style add to this satirical display of London's highest and lowest lifestyles. THE LAST MINUTE is a small budget film that can easily contend with Hollywood's finest productions.