15 Minutes MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3 1/2

NYPD homocide detective Eddie Flemming (Robert DeNiro) is a media celebrity. His flashy exploits and high profile arrests are frequently televised by tabloid reporter Robert Hawkins (Kelsey Grammer). Eddie teams with fire marshall Jordy Warsaw (Edward Burns) when an apartment fire covers up a violent murder. But two East European suspects quickly learn some legal tricks from Hawkins interviews and other Jerry Springer-type talk shows. They plan to use the medias desire for sensationalism to lucrative purposes. An action packed story filled with explosive fires, gunfights and chases, the film also makes not-so-subtle social comments about the sometimes questionable actions of journalistic media to satisfy viewers morbid and voyeuristic curiosity. The film also humorously includes numerous cameo appearances.

Pop Artist Andy Warhol is credited with predicting a future where everyone gets 15 minutes of fame. Some people gain fame or notoriety for sensational illegal acts. While people like Eddie draw attention for good deeds. But celebrity can also be a curse. Although fame helps Eddie get information and opens doors, it also attracts people like Hawkins, out to promote their own media fame. One of the European criminals dreams of making an American film and even calls himself Frank Capra. After stealing a camera, he videotapes everything, including violent crimes. Vicious stabbings, a broken neck, bloody and charred bodies along with graphic shootings are often replayed on video. An early scene even winks at the recent FTC finding about media violence. One scene with a prostitute features nudity and some of the amateur work focuses on cleavage. As with many action films, the dialogue is bluer than the police uniforms, with frequent obscenities and strong profanity. It takes less than 15 MINUTES to rate this film unacceptable.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: New Line Cinema, 888 7th Ave., 20th Flr., New York, NY 10106