Split Second (Scottish Telefilm)
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: C- Telefilm: B-
Some actors are just so good and have such star quality;
it is more than even just the camera liking them. Clive Owen is part of that rare number of actors who just has his
act together and is interesting in everything he does. He has the lead in an earlier Scottish TV
movie called Split Second (1999) where he plays a lawyer/family man who
has hit and killed a man on a bike.
Instead of sticking around, he decides to hit and run, but
the situation starts pushing him over an edge he has been teetering on to begin
with and investigators are on his trail.
Though I did not care for the pat ending, the majority of the telefilm is
very good and watchable, including a really good supporting cast. However, Owen is the standout, not as
physically built up as he has been of late and with the kind of subtle acting
timing that is a talent to have. Though
he did not become James Bond (yet?) or take on another star-role franchise,
Owen is slowly becoming an international star and Split Second is an
early big step forward to that success.
The 1.33 X 1 full screen image is softer and more color
challenged than it ought to be for a recent production, but the editing and
shooting are still interesting enough to enjoy. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no real surrounds, but the sound
design and use of music is decent. The
only extra is text about the main cast.
- Nicholas Sheffo
