‘In Time’ DVD Review

Director: Andrew Niccol

Cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Johnny Galecki, Vincent Kartheiser

Plot: In the future genetic research finds a way for people to stop physically aging at the age of 25. With people now able to live indefinitely ‘time’ has become the new currency with people trading days, months and years of their life expectancy. A factory worker from the ghetto is framed for a murder that ends in him on the run with over a century.

Review: There’s something of a recurring problem with the movies of Andrew Niccol. They contain lofty ideas, often well presented, but are lacking in the scriptwriting and film-making side of things. This leaves the viewer with a nice picture in a shoddy frame hung on a crumbling wall. In Time is packed full of good ideas but the action genre aspects of the film are beyond cheesy.

What works well in the implementation of the ‘time as a currency’ concept that forms the central premise of the movie. Each person has a glowing green tattoo on their arm that actively counts down the remaining time they have, and this time can be bought, traded and fought over. Having made the premise easily accessible to the viewers Niccol has implemented many techniques that create a realistic world. The changes made to the language feel genuine, the changing values, the extra edge given to a person saying that they ‘get by day to day’ and the way that law enforcement, crime and commerce have adjusted is believable and interesting. The film-makers have clearly spent much time going over the details of the new society on a minute level, addressing problems that would arise. Even the unexpected problems, such as the social awkwardness that comes about when your hosts wife, daughter and mother all look the same age, get addressed.

The movie is let down by the shallow characters and pointless diversions. Justin Timberlake has put in some surprisingly good performances of late (most notably The Social Network) yet here he comes across as little more than a pop-star in a vanity piece. As one of his first leading roles it was a make-it or break-it career move and while it must’ve sounded good on paper it’s ultimately a let down. The rest of the cast is made up of top-quality actors and one winds up wishing that more time would be spent with their much more interesting characters.

Every action scene is generic and cliched and filled out with every predictable pun you can imagine them making. Some of the dialogue for the chase scenes is downright terrible. Not even cringe-worthy but just plain rubbish. As they flee from law enforcement Timberlake comments that “they’ll give up soon” and Seyfried responds “are you sure?” only for Timberlake to finish up with “no”. Not even exclaiming it, just saying it. There’s no point to this exchange whatsoever. It’s not witty, it’s not developing the characters and it’s not providing any new information. It’s just a reason for the characters to keep flapping their jaws at each other. Timberlake’s character is something of an aberration. Although we’ve never seen him do anything but work in a factory with no time to his name he is strangely well prepared for life as an action hero. He’s never driven a car to our knowledge yet has no trouble tearing up the coast and outrunning cops. He’s never done anything except work in a factory and have awkward conversations with his mother yet he takes out armed henchmen and escapes from guarded mansions with such ease it wouldn’t be a total shock to learn he’s really Jason Bourne.

The narrative is spotty at best. It flitters between a sci-fi murder mystery to political and social commentary to drama to romance to action and back again with transitions as smooth and steady as a eighteen wheel truck shifting straight from 5th gear to reverse. It’s filled with mishandled diversions. After Timberlake gets his big score he heads of the big city to stay in fancy hotels, buy cars and clothes and visit casinos. It feels like a montage that was insisted upon by the stars agent to make sure he looked cool in the trailer. These act does introduce the rest of the major characters (about half an hour in) but it’s dragged out for way to long.

Good basic premise with a mishandled story and script. Call it even.

Score: FIVE outta TEN