Film Reviews

In Time

• Rating:
• Director: Andrew Niccol
• Starring: Amanda Seyfried
• Details: US/109mins 12A

Boasting a smart, innovative concept, but pragmatic CGI-free execution, Andrew Niccol's film has some big, socially conscious ideas, but lacks an intensity that should've been mandatory given the mechanics of the plot. Timberlake and Seyfried are decent enough leads, but you can't help but feel the sparks would've been stronger with two other actors.
In a world where time is currency, no one ages past the age of 25. When someone hits said age, a countdown appears on their arm, and they have a year before they "time out" and die. Regular people live day to day, hoping to garner enough hours and minutes to keep them alive. But the rich live longer - the system essentially making them immortal.
Timberlake is a 28 year old from the ghetto, who is given over a century in currency by a wealthy, suicidal man. After the man punches his own ticket, our hero makes his way to New Greenwich - the rich part of town - and meets Amanda Seyfried's spoilt rich girl. An instant attraction soon turns to a race against time to survive.
Niccol is known for being a top screenwriter in Hollywood, and specifically one that is a dab hand with science fiction. So the fact that In Time has such a strong, interesting story should surprise few. Where it fails is the utter lack of urgency in the execution. The whole film is essentially a counting clock, so you should be on the edge of your seat from the start. But with the exception of a couple of scenes, it doesn't happen.
A hugely recognisable supporting cast also distracts somewhat; you're too busy clocking faces from hit tv shows in small roles to get unequivocally drawn into the plot. No one is particularly bad, but a cynical sort might claim that the entire set-up is a studio executive's wet dream. You have an entire cast of a film where the plot dictates that the actors must be young and attractive; so get that guy from Mad Men, or the dude from The Big Bang Theory.
Basically, In Time does not live up to its potential.

Review by Mike Sheridan