REVIEW: The concept behind In Time is pretty basic - currency has shifted from money to time. People earn and trade actual life-span. Sounds interesting, right? I wish I could say this film was amazing, it certainly had the base potential, but this was a real missed opportunity. The complex concept is never backed up with solid explanations leaving plot holes and the ending is far less than satisfying, failing to address even the simplest social structure concerns. Lazy, lazy work.
The cast of the film boasts some pretty heavy-hitters. Almost all of whom either failed to show up or laid too much faith in a faulty director. I have seen Amanda Seyfried be captivating, and Justin Timberlake breath-taking, but here there was a clear lack of chemistry. The material to work with was weak at best, the dialogue littered with obvious statement and awkward one-liners that fall flat before they're finished. In world where humans are genetically altered not to visibly age past 25, everyone felt the need to mention their actual age. I can sympathize with the writer's feeling of need to make this point, but in execution all intrigue is lost and I found myself wondering "would a better writer have distinguished the older individuals with mannerisms and speech patterns appropriate to their experience rather than play the audience for fools and lay everything out as plainly as possible?" The abundance of obvious statements was not only unnecessary but insulting to the audience.
The cast of the film boasts some pretty heavy-hitters. Almost all of whom either failed to show up or laid too much faith in a faulty director. I have seen Amanda Seyfried be captivating, and Justin Timberlake breath-taking, but here there was a clear lack of chemistry. The material to work with was weak at best, the dialogue littered with obvious statement and awkward one-liners that fall flat before they're finished. In world where humans are genetically altered not to visibly age past 25, everyone felt the need to mention their actual age. I can sympathize with the writer's feeling of need to make this point, but in execution all intrigue is lost and I found myself wondering "would a better writer have distinguished the older individuals with mannerisms and speech patterns appropriate to their experience rather than play the audience for fools and lay everything out as plainly as possible?" The abundance of obvious statements was not only unnecessary but insulting to the audience.
The film's saving grace was definitely an intense albeit steely performance from Cilian Murphy, and the edgy and cool portrayal of a 40's style gangster by (who knew!) Alex Pettyfer (which ties in beautifully with the poetic reference to Bonnie & Clyde that the film ends on). All in all, In Time is definitely not a collection must-have but for a few watchable scenes and familiar faces that would make this a good "background noise" film for cleaning the house or falling asleep to. I say Redbox this one if you must see it, but count yourself warned.
QUOTE: "I'd say your money or your life, but since your money is your life...." - Justin Timberlake as Will Salas
QUOTE: "I'd say your money or your life, but since your money is your life...." - Justin Timberlake as Will Salas
Posted by Angel Of Awesome!
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