Hollywood Product: In Time

Justin Timberlake’s new time piece feels a bit heavy

GENRE: Science Fiction

THE PITCH: In an alternate future, time is the sole currency and population control is managed by genetically altering life expectancy. Engineered with life timers on their left forearms, people stop aging at 25 but are only given one year after to live. The only means to survive beyond their expiration date is to purchase more time. After a random act of kindness, Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) is given a substantial amount of time for his good deed. The suspicious transaction sets Timekeeper Raymond Leon (Cillian Murphy) on his trail to recover the stolen time. During a desperate escape plan he takes Sylvia Weis (Amanda Seyfried), the daughter of the worlds most richest man hostage and sets out on mission to set things right in this disproportionate society.

MONEY SHOT: On the run from the law, Sylvia and Will try to hide out in a hotel overnight. Their stay is short lived after the timekeepers swarm upon the locale. Seconds away from being caught the two make a mad dash from the hotel fleeing officer Leon and the other timekeepers. Their flight takes the couple through the streets and over rooftops with Leon nipping at their heels.

BEST LINE: A tense standoff between Will and Timekeeper Leon causes Sylvia to accidentally shoots the cop. All three dazed, Sylvia explains, “I didn’t mean to shoot him, I wanted to scare him!” Will replies, “Well, I think you did both.” A few hands into a game of high-stakes poker, Will stares intensely at Sylvia as she greets her father, Philippe (Vincent Kartheiser) at the table. As she and her bodyguards leave the area, Philippe says to Will, “I know you’re wondering, is she my sister, my mother, my wife or my daughter. Guess it can be pretty confusing.”

WORST LINE: Will’s mother Rachel (Olivia Wilde) asks when he’s going to find a girlfriend, his answer, “Who has time for a girlfriend.” This is one of many time-related puns and idioms used throughout that unfortunately add a tongue-and-cheek feel to the characters’ dialog.

SKIN FACTOR: I counted three instances of a shirtless Will Salas. At a private party at the Weis estate, Will convinces Sylvia to go skinny dipping in the ocean, there’s some shadowy nudes in the night water and a quick glimpse at Sylvia’s derriere.

I AM THE 99-PERCENT: With the country steeped in Occupy America conversation regarding the disproportion of wealth in the country, In Time strikes an interesting parallel to the subject matter. The poorest time zone — what we would describe as a city, is called Dayton, while the rich live in Greenwich, several time zones away. Time zones are just a few contextual notes used in the film to illustrate the separation of classes and wealth. Societal issues like the perpetuation of poverty and crime is examined with a level of unabashed imagery and intelligence.

BOTTOM LINE: Ethical quandaries seem to be the calling card of Andrew Niccol. His resume is full of films that place a scrutinizing eye on “what-if” scenarios that fit as fantasy or, in the case of In Time, science fiction. He’s had some moderate success in movies that pose such ethical conundrums in the past like Gattaca, The Truman Show, Simone and Lord of War.

Expanding on the concept that “Time is money,” Niccols, takes the simple idiom and fashions a stylized and poetic tale of greed, suffering and resolution. But there’s a problem with this — it was supposed to be an action film. With so much energy placed on the subtext of the wealthy and the disenfranchised poor, the Bonnie and Clyde-esque caper aspect of the film has to work doubly hard to balance out the heavy subject matter.

Timberlake rough-and-tumble portrayal of Will is believable except in scenes where he’s required to show more depth with his emotional states. In those instances, it’s almost comical to watch and disappointing considering his recent breakout performances in The Social Network and Alpha Dogs. Seyfried’s vapid rich girl paired with Timberlake create an interesting chemistry that is reminiscent of Beatty and Dunaway Bonnie and Clyde, but not quite on par with the original criminal duo. The apparent yang to Timberland and Sefriend’s yin is the unreasonable obsession of Murphy’s lawman Raymond Leon. Patterned almost directly from Les Miserables’ Inspector Javert, his story and unrelenting pursuit is so incredulous even his own comrades question his motives.

Depending on your interest, In Time delivers a handsome and surprisingly intelligent science fiction with a few knuckle brawls and car chases to help move it along. If you’re really looking for an action film as the trailer portrays, you’ll be marginally entertained but hopefully find the socio-economic statements to be a topic for further conversation.