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Al Pacino may be the star of 88 Minutes. The character he plays may be a renowned forensic psychiatrist. He has almost certainly generated a fair number of very intriguing enemies over the course of his career. Like almost every genius member of TV and movie criminal justice out there, he has a tragic secret in his past. And when Dr. Jack Gramm is called and told that he has 88 minutes to live the same morning that Jon Forster (Neal McDonough) aka "The Seattle Slayer" is set to be executed, it would be reasonable to expect some interesting twists and turns of psychological intrigue, a few cleverly evil suspects or scenarios to work through, and a final villain worthy of going head-to-head with Mr. Pacino himself.

But between the time 88 Minutes opens with the murder of a young coed and ties itself up with a fairly nondescript bow, I have to say, I found myself wondering when the story I had expected was going to start. Although Pacino's Dr. Gramm does spend the movie trying to figure out who is coming after him, his methods come off more like a game of Clue-like elimination than a clever psychological puzzle. While the past that torments him is brought to light, it barely has anything to do with the situation he finds himself in or the way it resolves itself. And with a cast of suspects almost completely comprised of young actors and actresses who are often scantily clad and overly emotional, 88 Minutes really only begins to feel like the movie you came to see if you realize that it is a teen suspense flick that just happens to star Al Pacino... not an Al Pacino movie that happens to have a few young people in it.

The course that 88 Minutes takes is not terribly complex. The storyline is driven by recurring calls that count down the number of minutes Dr. Gramm has left to live. As events unfold and the calls continue, you pretty much know that what is going on has something to do with Jon Forster and his impending execution. Although the possibility that Dr. Gramm is actually the bad guy sits on the table at the beginning, the ability for the plot to make its way to that revelation disappears fairly quickly. For the most part, the suspense of the movie is driven by trying to figure out which of Dr. Gramm's students are loyal and which might be Forster's accomplice. And when the killer is revealed, I must say that even with a new hairdo and leather clothes, our mystery caller just doesn't summon up psychopathic killer.

But despite its lack of complex suspense, intriguing psychology, or truly chilling evil, the resolution of 88 Minutes did put a few thoughts to ponder on the radar.

When it all boils down, 88 Minutes centers on power—who has it, who wants it, and how it is used. In his world, Dr. Gramm is a man of power. While most people see Dr. Gramm's expertise as something worthy of respect, every time a suspect climbs to the top of the list, it is because they appear to believe his power is undeserved. With each young overachiever who steps up against Gramm, we are shown that instead of respecting the power of others, our power-hungry nature will just as often tell us that we must take away others' power in order to gain any power ourselves. If we prove those above us to be inferior, we will prove ourselves to be superior. And as long as we are incapable of seeing others in positions of power without desiring the same for ourselves, we will go to almost any length to make sure they don't stay there.

But just as much as seeking our own empowerment by taking power away from others is a sure path to trouble, 88 Minutes also reveals that going the other direction can be just as dangerous. While there are definitely a few people who challenge the supremacy of others throughout the movie, there are also those who almost worship those above them. Not surprisingly, Dr. Gramm's expertise draws a number of followers to his side. Since he actually uses his position to serve others besides himself, they fare okay. The problem arises when one person believes that greater power can be gained through Forster. To join his team is to be a part of something important. To carry out his task is to also prove worthy of power. But unfortunately, while Gramm uses his power to help and protect those around him, Forster just plain uses those who stand by him. And in the end, when his façade of supremacy crumbles, those by his side are crushed underneath its rubble as well.

As Daniel says in the Psalms, "The power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous." So whether we find ourselves hungrily plotting to bring others down so we can rise, or eagerly grasping for those in power so we can step into their circle of command, let us remember that just as there are those who will use their strength to lift us up, there are also those who will use their influence to throw us down. As much as authority can bring rise to greatness, when paired with selfishness and pride, it will bring destruction. And in a world where we have been given the free will to choose how we use the power we have and whose authority we allow to influence those very choices, let us remember to make our decisions wisely.