In Time. Rated M (violence and infrequent coarse language). 109 minutes. Written and directed by Andrew Niccol.
It is only the intriguing ‘time as currency’ premise that keeps this laboured, poorly-structured film afloat – and while it’s a masterstroke of story-lining (represented by the digitally-enhanced timepieces embedded on everyone’s forearms), it ultimately becomes unforgivably tedious as one more ‘what you do with your time money’ metaphor crashes to the ground. Like a really big, heavy rock.
When Will Salas’s (Justin Timberlake) mum (Olivia Wilde) dies in his arms having been unable to afford the two-hour bus fare, young Will becomes determined to break free from the poverty-stricken ghetto where he lives, and hold the rich to account for the unfair distribution of time.
Unable to decide whether it’s Robin Hood, Bonnie and Clyde or just an incredibly under-produced sci-fi epic (look out for the scene starring Mr Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and an uncredited couch), In Time constantly threatens to capitalise on its fascinating premise – and never does. Instead, Hollywood’s hottest young things all wander around looking gorgeous, dazed and confused – but none more so than poor Cillian Murphy (as timekeeper Raymond Leon) who appears to be struggling to cope with whatever the hell’s supposed to be going on.
Ms Seyfried (as rich girl Sylvia Weis) wins major respect for managing to run city blocks in heels the size of small skyscrapers, while fans of television’s Mad Men will recognise Vincent Kartheiser in his big-screen debut as her father, Philippe.
To his credit, Mr Niccol (Gattaca) has delivered a timely riff on class, greed, population control and revolution – important contemporary themes that are increasingly playing out in our daily global news coverage. It’s just a shame that the cinematic possibilities his story constantly threatens to unleash never actually eventuate.
Pictured: Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried in In Time.
This review was commissioned by the Geraldton Newspaper Group and the print edition is included below.
