Starring Robert De Nero, Edward Burns, Oleg Taktarov, Carl Roden and Kelsey Grammer. Rated MA:

A mate of mine said he was going to see 13 Days. I said there was a better one out there called 15 Minutes – and his friend nearby burst into fits of laughter.

But it's no laughing matter. 15 Minutes is a very serious film.

It follows the exploits of two eastern European ruffians as they immerse themselves wholeheartedly in the freedoms of the west.

From the start the pair are poles apart – the ultimate odd couple. One is an intense, scary character with obvious dark secrets. The other, a likable larrikin, intent on enjoying life to the fullest.

They arrive in America, land of the free and home of the brave, freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

It is this latter concept that is a basic tenet of the movie. That and the concept of culpability -- or the lack there of. You see, in America, our (anti) heroes quickly conclude, one can not be held responsible for ones actions if one is declared, or even claims to be, insane. With this concept you could get away with murder.

And they do.

15 Minutes takes a polarised look at the fickle relationship between the civil authorities – fighters of evil and upholders of moral decency – and the popular media – scum-sucking, bottom-feeding, low-life champions of the public interest. It follows the exploits of the two newly arrived emigrants as they slash their way through New York’s underbelly and the efforts of a street-wise, media-savvy cop and his new-found partner from the city’s fire department.

On the subliminal level it explores today’s real-life fascination with the media and fame.

It asks, what price fame? It answers…

15 Minutes is a stunning and refreshing piece of cinematography, dark and foreboding on the one hand yet refreshing and comedic on the other. One that will stick in your brain for quite a while, I predict.