Directed by
Phil Alden Robinson
Made by
Lionsgate
As Henry Altmann’s day kicks off with a terrifying incident in Brooklyn traffic, his temper ignites, leaving a taxi driver utterly terrified. This explosive moment serves as the catalyst for a profound journey of introspection and redemption, as he encounters a series of life-changing events.
At the hospital, Dr. Sharon Gill finds herself covering for Henry’s regular physician, who also happens to be her secret lover. While examining his scans, she delivers the unsettling news of Henry’s brain aneurysm, accompanied by a grim prognosis. In response to this life-altering revelation, Henry erupts in a torrent of abusive words directed at Sharon. Despite her attempts to sidestep the question, he relentlessly inquires about his remaining time. Overcome by anxiety, Sharon inadvertently declares he has a mere 90 minutes left, prompting Henry to storm out in a furious haze.
Following the shocking diagnosis, Henry’s rising anger spills onto those around him. His estranged wife, Bette, finds herself on the receiving end when he catches her in a compromising situation with their neighbor. Meanwhile, Sharon is left grappling with the repercussions of her careless remarks, coming to the painful realization that Henry’s life teeters on a razor’s edge.
Henry’s quest for redemption leads him to his family law office, where he barges into a meeting involving his brother Aaron and clients. In a contemplative moment, he poses a significant question about what a person with only 90 minutes left should do—leading one of the clients to suggest sharing one final intimate moment with their partner. This touching inquiry sends Henry on an introspective journey, desperately striving to reconnect with those who matter.
As Sharon, filled with remorse for her earlier actions, seeks out Henry and confides in Aaron about the diagnosis, we uncover that Henry was once a joyful and loving individual. The loss of his son Peter two years prior profoundly impacted his spirit, providing essential context for his current emotional turmoil as he approaches his final days.
With an increasing desire for atonement, Henry reaches out to his surviving son Tommy, whom he has always disapproved of for choosing a career as a professional dancer. In a heartfelt moment, he creates a recording expressing his love and regret for not being there for him in the past. However, fueled by unresolved anger, he loses consciousness.
When Henry awakens, he finds himself perilously perched on the Brooklyn Bridge, teetering between hope and despair. Just in time, Sharon arrives, offering heartfelt apologies for her previous errors and admitting she has no way of knowing about Henry’s true time limit. Filled with urgency and fervor, she pleads with him not to end his own life, knowing the profound impact such an act would have on everyone around him, including herself.
As Henry’s determination to reconcile with his family grows stronger, he bravely jumps off the bridge again. Sharon rushes to the riverbank and, after saving him, realizes this second chance has ignited a new purpose within him. With time fleeting, Henry implores Sharon to help him right past wrongs and join him on his path to happiness and redemption.
With only 19 minutes left to live, they rush to the Brooklyn Dancing Academy, where Tommy is lost in thought. In a moving moment of connection, Henry and Tommy engage in a beautiful dance, helping Henry discover peace amid the fleeting moments. During an intimate conversation with Sharon, Henry expresses his desire to fully embrace every moment and mend relationships with his loved ones.
As his energy fades, Henry collapses in Sharon’s arms—exhausted yet at peace. He spends his last days in the hospital cherishing precious moments with his family, sharing stories filled with love and tenderness with Tommy, Aaron, and Bette.
In the years that follow after Henry’s passing, a touching tribute to his life unfolds as his family gathers on a ferry. They celebrate his incredible journey and honor his memory by scattering his ashes into the East River. As they commemorate this bittersweet event, the ship’s captain implores them to respect the law, but they choose to honor Henry’s spirit by embracing freedom and rejecting convention, in his name.
Traffic Incident
Henry Altmann's day begins with a terrifying incident in Brooklyn traffic, where his anger flares up, causing a taxi driver to feel utterly terrified. This moment indicates a larger issue within Henry and sets off his journey toward introspection and redemption.
Life-Altering Diagnosis
At the hospital, Dr. Sharon Gill, covering for Henry’s regular physician, examines his scans and delivers the devastating news: Henry has a brain aneurysm. The prognosis is grim, which triggers an explosive reaction from Henry as he questions his remaining time.
Anger and Estrangement
After learning about his condition, Henry's anger intensifies and spills over onto his estranged wife, Bette, when he discovers her in a compromising situation with their neighbor. This confrontation reveals the deep fissures in his relationships and his emotional state.
Question of Legacy
During a visit to his family law office, Henry interrupts a meeting and poses a poignant question about what one should do with only 90 minutes left to live. This significant reflection compels him to reconsider his relationships and his quest for closure.
Sharon's Regret
Filled with remorse, Dr. Sharon seeks out Henry and confides in his brother, Aaron, about the implications of her careless remark regarding his diagnosis. This moment provides insight into Henry's backstory, revealing the profound loss he experienced two years prior with the death of his son, Peter.
Reconnecting with Tommy
Driven by a desire for redemption, Henry reaches out to his surviving son, Tommy, a professional dancer, expressing his love and regret in a heartfelt recording. This moment signifies Henry's attempt to mend the fractured relationship with his son amidst his dire situation.
Crisis on the Bridge
After losing consciousness momentarily, Henry awakens on the Brooklyn Bridge, facing the brink of despair. He is confronted by Sharon, who hurriedly apologizes for her earlier mistakes and urges him not to take his own life, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences such an act would entail.
Leap for Life
With a newfound determination to reconcile with his family, Henry bravely jumps off the bridge again. Sharon rushes to save him, and this act of desperation signifies not just a cry for help but also the beginning of a transformative journey toward redemption.
Dance of Reconnection
After being saved by Sharon, Henry, now with only 19 minutes left to live, rushes to the Brooklyn Dancing Academy to reconnect with Tommy. Their shared moment of dance becomes a cathartic experience, allowing Henry to express love and find peace amidst the chaos of his life.
Final Conversations
In his final moments, Henry shares intimate conversations with Sharon, Aaron, and Tommy, expressing his desire to cherish every moment and repair the broken bonds with his family. This poignant gathering reflects Henry's journey toward acceptance and love.
Passing Away
Exhausted yet at peace, Henry collapses in Sharon's arms as he breathes his last. He spends his final days in the hospital surrounded by family, sharing stories and memories filled with love, indicating the redemption he sought.
Tribute and Remembrance
In the years following Henry's passing, his family gathers on a ferry to honor his memory. They scatter his ashes into the East River, a bittersweet moment of remembrance that celebrates the life he lived and the impact he made on their lives.
Embracing Freedom
As they commemorate Henry's life, the ship's captain reminds them to respect the law, but they choose to commemorate Henry by embracing freedom and rejecting convention. This act symbolizes their love and commitment to his spirit.
Henry Altmann (Robin Williams)
Henry Altmann is a complex character whose explosive anger masks deep-seated sadness and regret. Following the news of his brain aneurysm, he embarks on a transformative journey characterized by reflection and a longing for connection with his family, revealing a vulnerability that contrasts his abrasive exterior.
Dr. Sharon Gill (Melissa Leo)
Dr. Sharon Gill is a dedicated physician caught in a web of her personal and professional life. Her reckless disclosure about Henry's prognosis ignites his anger, but ultimately, she becomes a pivotal figure in his quest for redemption, seeking to make amends and support him during his final moments.
Bette Altmann
Bette is Henry's estranged wife, who experiences the brunt of his anger as their relationship deteriorates. Caught in a compromising situation with their neighbor, she embodies the complexities of love and resentment, highlighting the painful consequences of unresolved conflicts within a marriage.
Tommy Altmann
Tommy, Henry's son, faces the challenge of stepping out of his father's shadow as a professional dancer. Their strained relationship adds emotional depth to Henry's journey, culminating in a moving reconciliation that highlights the importance of familial love and acceptance.
Time period
The events occur in a modern-day setting, highlighting current societal norms and personal struggles. The narrative focuses on contemporary themes of grief, redemption, and the urgency of reconciling relationships before time runs out.
Location
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a vibrant borough of New York City, known for its diverse neighborhoods and cultural landmarks. It serves as the backdrop for Henry's turbulent journey, symbolizing both his struggles and moments of connection. The iconic Brooklyn Bridge is not just a location but a pivotal point that represents hope and despair in Henry's quest for redemption.
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Redemption
Redemption is at the heart of Henry's journey as he grapples with his anger and seeks to mend broken relationships. His encounters prompt self-reflection and drive him to reconnect with his loved ones, illustrating the power of forgiveness and the human desire to heal emotional wounds before it's too late.
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Mortality
The looming presence of mortality forces Henry to confront his life choices and missed opportunities. This theme encourages viewers to consider their own lives, urging a deeper appreciation of time and the importance of cherishing meaningful connections.
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Family
Family dynamics play a crucial role in the narrative, showcasing the complexities of love and conflict. Henry's strained relationships with his wife and son illuminate the importance of communication and understanding within families, especially during trying times.
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