Marva
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
Vantec
The dead end clerical life of lovable loser Barry Thomas (Jonathan Silverman) literally goes for a loop when an atomic mishap at work traps him in a time bubble. Every morning the alarm clock announces the same Tuesday and every afternoon Barry is forced to witness the murder of Lisa, the brilliant co-worker he adores from a distance. Like other TV movies of its time, this one hedges its bets with the kitchen sink approach of hinging the resolution to both misfortunes on an industrial espionage mystery. 1993's leaner 'Groundhog Day', from which 12:01 borrows much, demonstrates the pitfalls of tripling down. The plot is as credible as Barry's predicament. Helen Slater as the love interest is appealing if slightly bland and confused, and much too trusting of "I'm a time traveller, baby" advances. The bigger problem however is Barry. On the surface a cloying, goofy good guy recognizable from dozens of 90's sitcoms, he expresses the most distress about Lisa's death that he missed the chance to sleep with her. His reaction to the world altering realization of time travel is lame humour and he's frustratingly slow on the uptake. The writers seem to forget only Barry recalls his previous Tuesdays with Lisa. Real coworkers would respond with repulsion and disciplinary action to Barry's approaches later in the movie. The result is a confused, unconvincing mess mixing phony love-at-first-sight platitudes with uncomfortable sexual pursuit. Solid performances from Hollywood stalwarts like Martin Landau go wasted.12:01 is a very forgettable time waster for those hoping for a return to formulaic 90's TV plots, an exercise in prime-time déjà vu minus the laugh track. Watch Groundhog Day over instead.
moebeast
I love time travel/ time loop stories, so it stands to reason that I would probably enjoy this film based solely on its plot. This picture manages to successfully mix romance with science fiction and espionage. However, I must admit that it is the exceptional cast and wonderful acting that makes this one of my favorite films. Jonathan Silverman is wonderfully believable in the lead role and Helen Slater has always impressed me with her ability to immerse herself in different types of characters. I always forget that her first movie role was that of "Supergirl"! Additionally, Jeremy Piven is a comic delight as Howard and Robin Bartlett is equally as good in her role as the annoying Anne Jackson. In my opinion, Ms. Bartlett is one of our more talented and under-appreciated character actresses. Finally, any movie that utilizes the magnificent Martin Landau gets a 10 right off the bat!
mikerobinson959
Hi, I think this is the film I have been looking for, for so long. I watched it on a German channel a few yrs ago and could not remember the name exactly...i have always searched for "12 o'clock" or "00:00".I was wondering if some one can tell me if this is the film that i think it is...I only remember the business man looking at the woman as she is buying red roses and then she gets shot by someone in a moving car??? I hope this is the film because i thought it was quite good and i would like to watch it again!!PLEASEHELP THANKS!!
TruPretender
For a slow-paced, and mild-mannered man named Barry Thomas, Tuesday morning was just another day with the same old people, being unpleasant and disgusting. He attends the same job, with the same drags and hacks. His boss is a real wench, his best friend won't give him a break, and the woman he has fallen in love, has no idea he exists. But today, Tuesday, he will make a difference. Whether he knows it or not, he will be the key player in the next four days. His first time to speak to his crush, Dr. Lisa Fredricks, goes from kinky, to array. He can't manage to sit down at his desk, without his best pal playing a harsh prank. Next thing he knows, his job is on the line. Things get much more difficult when he watches the beautiful Lisa, suffer, and die from a slew of shots from a gun! He is estranged and torn, so he drinks himself to sleep, but not before he shocks himself whilst touching his lamp....as lightening strikes... Alas, the next morning begins, and there is no mention of Lisa Fredricks death on the news, or in the office, of which he is late for work...again. His boss is saying the same old nagging, his friend has the same pranks in line, and as soon as he can adjust to this madness, there, walking by, is Dr. Lisa Fredricks. The day has started over...and a time bounce has interfered the world.This film was such a wonderful effort from FOX back in 1993, and I only pity the network for producing less-than worthy decisions more so today. It has a firm, catchy theatrical feel to it, that appeals to it's audience. It sets itself up with an intense introduction and a nice opening title sequence that prepares the rest of the film. It's subject matter, and executional tactics are very fair, and not overdone. They don't show any blood and guts, nor do they invade the script with vile language. Not that it would contain any, being a film made for television. What's more, it captures the exact tensity and tension as an action sci-fi thriller made for a summer blockbuster audience. All the good moments are well represented. Perhaps it would have faired well in a theatrical run...it seemed to do so as it was. The cast is terrific, and as such, they're easily lovable. Jonathan Silverman is one heck of a good guy in this picture, and he wins our hearts early on, with his adorable personality and his "nice guys finish last" approach. He has an effective puppy love for Helen Slater as the leading lady. Silverman is so hansom and determined to reach his destination. You just want to cheer for him, and your jaw drops as certain obstacles get in his way. Helen Slater as always, gives one of her many articulate performances. She is not so vulnerable as she looks, and she is not easily persuaded to any single belief. Her stronger moments do lay in her character when she is torn between what she thinks is real, and what she wants to believe. Need I say anything more than the radiation of light that appears when her name is mentioned? Slater and Silverman are so cute together, and you just want to take them both and hug 'em tight! The rest of the cast is fun. Jeremy Piven is a frolicked fun co-star who puts his comedic timing to good use as the side-kick friend with a desk full of pranks. Robin Bartlett is above the funny line as the nagging boss who steps out from the expected line and creates diversion and delays. Martin Landau...well, what's not to love about the guy? He's good in whatever he does!"12:01" is a real winner. It's not too much, but it's more than enough to please any type of crowd.
