5 brilliant Hollywood movies that take place in one day
When it comes to cinematic storytelling, time is a malleable element that often serves as a crucial dimension to weave captivating narratives. Some stories within a three-hour film span an entire lifetime, some several years, some a few months or a week. One fascinating and distinctive subgenre within this is the exploration of a single day's events, condensed into it which are listed below.
'Collateral' (2004)
Michael Mann's riveting neo-noir thriller film Collateral unfolds over a single night in Los Angeles. The Oscar-nominated film follows Max (Jamie Foxx), a taxi driver, who unwittingly becomes the chauffeur for contract killer Vincent (Tom Cruise) as he carries out a series of assassinations. The high-octane cat-and-mouse chase blends action, tension, and character development that will keep you on the edges of your seats.
'Dazed And Confused' (1993)
Richard Linklater's 1993 film Dazed and Confused introduced us to several soon-to-be famous stars including Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck, among others. It captures the spirit of one memorable day and night in the lives of high school students in 1976 Texas. With a classic rock soundtrack, it explores their adventures, relationships, and coming-of-age experiences as they celebrate the end of the school year.
'Die Hard' (1988)
Directed by John McTiernan, the 1988 action film Die Hard stars Bruce Willis, the late Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, and Bonnie Bedelia. Based on Roderick Thorp's novel Nothing Lasts Forever, the film takes place during a single, action-packed Christmas Eve. NYPD officer John McClane (Willis) finds himself trapped in a Los Angeles skyscraper, battling a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Rickman).
'Dog Day Afternoon' (1975)
Starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, James Broderick, and Charles Durning, Sidney Lumet's Oscar-winning film Dog Day Afternoon is based on the 1972 robbery and hostage situation. The Oscar-winning film follows Sonny Wortzik (Pacino) and Sal Naturile (Cazale) as they attempt a bank heist, which quickly spirals into a hostage situation. Tense, emotional, and darkly humorous, it's a rollercoaster of a day you won't forget.
'12 Angry Men' (1957)
An adaptation of Reginald Rose's 1954 namesake teleplay, the 1957 legal drama film 12 Angry Men is yet another gem from Lumet that unfolds in a single day. Set entirely within the confines of a courtroom, the film explores the intense deliberations of 12 jurors tasked with deciding the fate of a young defendant accused in a seemingly open-and-shut murder case.
