7 Minutes (2014)

Title: 7 Minutes
"7 Minutes" is an intense American independent crime thriller movie that was released in 2014. Directed and composed by Jay Martin, "7 Minutes" features a gripping story of a heist gone wrong, driven by desperation and the will to survive.

Plot Summary
The narrative unfolds around 3 buddies from a village: Sam (Luke Mitchell), Mike (Jason Ritter), and Owen (Zane Holtz). Driven into a corner due to financial hardships, they choose to turn to a life of criminal offense and prepare a daring heist. Their goal is to rob an apparently simple target, a local bank, performing the strategy in simply seven minutes. Nevertheless, their carefully laid scheme spirals out of control when unforeseen issues happen.

Weaves
Their plan takes a dreadful turn when they understand the bank is under the watch of a bigger, much more unsafe criminal outfit. They find themselves caught, balancing on the precipice between getting away with the loot or falling at the hands of both the law and the lawbreakers they crossed paths with. This dangerous cocktail of hope and anguish forms the core of the nerve-wracking sequence that puts the characters' morality and survival instincts to the test.

Character Development and Themes
Each of the 3 main characters features their personal battles with morality, making the film far more than a standard break-in thriller. Sam, an ex-footballer, grapples with the duty of attending to his pregnant wife, while Mike and Owen, bros bound by familial commitment, should fix up with their dark past that continues to haunt them. The movie likewise explores the themes of desperation, bonds of relationship, the moral consequences of one's actions, and the ruthless pursuit of the American dream in a stopping working economy.

Style and Execution
What makes "7 Minutes" stick out is its storytelling style. The film unfolds in a non-linear narrative, which contributes to the suspense and slowly reveals the backstory and motivations of the characters. This retrospective technique keeps the audience on their toes and maintains a sense of unpredictability throughout the film. In spite of being a criminal offense thriller, it naturally blends components of drama and thriller, improving the overall cinematic experience.

Vital Reception
"7 Minutes" received blended evaluations from critics. While some praised its intense plot and non-linear storytelling, others criticized it for its lack of creativity as several aspects of the movie were similar to other famous heist thrillers. Nevertheless, the performances of the three leads were extensively appreciated, especially the grittiness and realism they brought to their characters, making the film engaging.

In summary, "7 Minutes" is an extreme criminal offense thriller which uses a roller-coaster ride of emotions set by a trio of good friends who walk the fine line between survival and desperation. Driven by guilt, the pressure to provide, and the desire to escape their mundane existence, their life choices make for a fascinating watch, providing an extensive exploration of human survival impulses and moral dilemmas when confronted with anguish.

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