FILM: In Time

In a world where time is the currency, it’s all about looking at Darwin’s theory of “natural selection” in a different light. Genetically modified to stop aging at 25 and only having a year left to live afterwards – unless you could earn more time to live a little longer – suddenly the question, “What do you do in your spare time?” means a lot more than saying, “Oh, nothing much.”

For Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) earning his time means having enough to live day-by-day. In a twisted hand of fate, Will finds himself with all the time in the world when a stranger (Matt Bomer) gives him a century to live. With more than enough time to do anything he wants, it’s time to fight for justice; it’s time against those who live forever and allow others to die daily.

The Story

The concept of “time as the currency” is perfect for this day in age. It really questions what you would do if you knew your time was constantly running out. It also takes on the idea of being able to earn more time, that is, being able to earn more hours in a day or loss more hours in your day.

I loved how the retained the reality of the more time you have the more you have in your life. More time to relax, more material things to enjoy, more places you could go or the complete opposite. You have to work more to have more time; you have to do everything faster so you can relax a little later – this film adapts the construct of socioeconomic status within the constraint of time.

Really made me think about what I do with my time and how I “invest” it.

The Cast

Amanda Seyfried just gets better and better with every role she plays. After surprising us all with her vocal abilities in Mama Mia, her dark and mysterious role in In Time shows another side to her. Playing the damsel-in-distress at first, Seyfried portrays the stifled heiress, Sylvia Weis who lives on the empire that her father, Phillipe (Vincent Kartheiser) perfectly. Seyfried’s ability to be both mysterious and daring removes her from the innocent blond we remember from Mean Girls. Her fiery red-hair suits her well and gives her a more matured look that separates her from her previous dumb-blond role – which obviously is a positive thing for her.

Justin Timberlake gets a massive KUDOS from me in his success on the big screen. With The Social Network and Friends With Benefits gracing the big screens in the last eighteen months or so, we’re no stranger to seeing the pop start put away his dancing shoes and entertain us with his acting skills instead. I have to say I thought his performance was brilliant. He was believable as “a man on a mission” and conveyed his emotions really well. He was suave when he need to be and aggressive when he needed to be as well.

Cillian Murphy is the most convincing villain/hero type I have ever witnessed on the big screen. His facial expressions were what won this film over for me. Careful not to dominate Timberlake’s leading role, but at the same time conscious of the dynamics between their characters, Murphy perfectly conveys that no matter what happens time must be measured by the zone. I have to say that the cinematography of constant close ups for Murphy’s character, Raymond Leaon, was excellent since his decisions were written all over his face.

Alex Pettyfer has come a long way from his action debut back in 2006 with Stormbreaker. With I Am Number Four also coming out this year, playing the head gang member of the “Minute-Men” is like a walk in the park for the young actor. Pettyfer’s ability to be arrogant and somewhat “wise” in how Fortis does his “dealings” with other people time is magnificent. Playing the “bad guy” this time around shows a great growth in Pettyfer’s abilities and will take him a long way in this industry. We’ll be seeing him a lot more I presume.

Overall

In Time is perfect for both men and women. There’s not too much romance and there’s not too much action so you can all have a good night out with friends. There’s not that much blood either since death is like a jolt – like a bomb that goes off internally within the human body that tells you that you’re time’s “up”. It’s a modern day Bonny and Clyde that makes you think.

sL Star Rating: 3 stars

Next on sL: Daylight Hours’ New EP: Brand New Tomorrow