Crimetime
Starring: Stephen Baldwin
Review written by: Josh Bozeman on August 7,
2003 at 3:12 AM. CT.
Crimetime, starring Stephen Baldwin...hmm. Two words- weird movie. I'm fairly sure it was a British made film and shot in the UK. Not 100% sure, but it seems that way. It also seemed to be somewhat low budget, you can tell from the film quality and stuff.
It's basically a movie about an actor, Baldwin, whose character takes himself and his craft WAY too seriously. His girlfriend plays the weekly victim in a crime show where they reinact local crimes and ask people for information...sorta a tabloid- like version of America's Most Wanted. Baldwin lands the role as a local killer, a man who is killing young women...still on the loose, of course. Baldwin plays the role and he starts getting into it WAY too much. The guy kills again, which means more work for Baldwin, and more weirdness from him as well.
The audience of the show love Baldwin's character...they think he's a great actor and he's doing wonderful work. Eventually, the work comes less and less, and Baldwin starts getting calls and stuff from the actual killer- who happens upon the program featuring him...he sort of tells Baldwin how things really went, because he seems to want to be portrayed as accurately as possible. He calls him and helps Baldwin's performances. Baldwin eventually goes to the guy's house and...well, you can see the movie for the rest.
It was interesting to see a non-US film with Baldwin in it. He can be annoying at time, but he's pretty cool overall, if you ask me. He was good in this...pretty creepy as he gets deeper and deeper into the part of the killer and becomes obsessed to the point where he does his own killing. His girlfriend, some actress I've never seen does a nice job as well...very cute, and very well cast. The killer is very very creepy...I have seen him in another British movie, but I'm not sure what his name is. Anyhow, he's a scary guy in a nice, sweater wearing, reminds you of Mr. Rogers kind of way...if that made sense.
The film is well made, despite the obvious lack of a big budget...but it doesn't work that well overall. It's somewhat tedious and drags in way too many scenes. Interesting concept that could have been pulled off much better.