Few things are more depressing in movies than watching a great actor, one of the best of his generation, treading water in a project that does not deserve his presence. This is Al Pacino collecting a paycheck in "88 Minutes,” a procedural drama weighed down by a laughable script, hammy acting and a few key moments when Jon Avnet 's direction falls to the level of incompetence.

Pacino plays Dr. Jack Gramm , a fore...