"Time is money" and fear makes power

Rating: Null/10 (6 November 2011)

So far this movie is scoring just short of 7 of 10 stars. I give it a solid 9. It's just that good.
Ronald Reagan, Milton Freemon, Margret Thatcher... they all agree. Capitalism is a terrible, tyrannical system --- but it's better than anything else.
In this movie we see a world where time becomes money - literally - and money time. The premise seemed boring. The trailer made a libertarian like me roll his eyes and think, "Yup, there goes Hollywood, being all liberal and progressive trying to destroy the world with the adoption of socialism again."
This movie is much deeper.
Justine Timberlake plays an insightful Christlike role where in he cannot bear the thought of others suffering while he has a cup overflowing. He goes around as a savior to the poor in this modern day Robin Hood tale.
There's always been a thin line between capitalism vs. Christianity. This movie, I thought, was going to err on the side of mercy and socialism - and it did a bit - but the heart of the movie is summed up in the scripture which states "in as much as yeah have done this unto the least of these, my brothers, ye have done it unto me."
And more profoundly ... I'm old. So in 1982 I was in high school when I saw one of the best movies of all time. Blade Runner. That movie is a 10. Near the end, Rudger Hauer (playing a Nexxus 6 replicant) runs out of time and says to Harrison Ford's character, "Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it means to be a slave."
This movie is about mercy vs. justice, Christianity vs. capitalism - this is true. But mostly it's about slavery and what people will do to hurt others in order to free themselves. This movie is about how you can be free and not hurt others! How do you do it? Keep reading!
I loved Gattica. Great movie. Which movie is better? On the whole I'll go out on a limb and say - this movie is better. Gattica makes you think about genetics and social prejudice - which is wonderful - but this movie makes you think about mercy and freedom. As a libertarian this movie come across as a powerful reminder as to what life is about. Live free or die. Free from seeing your brothers suffer and free from having to close your eyes from selfishness and contempt.
Flaws? Sure, there were a few. I don't this it's a spoiler when I tell you near the end when "freedom" is starting to take a foot hold the great irony rears its head... yet this elephant in the room is somewhat ignored by the movie! We see the factories are not running and product for survival is no longer being produced! Are you a fan of "Fight Club" like I am? Well, the slaves make society run and the saying "when everybody's special - nobody is" comes to mind! (damn, I watch way too many movies) So what happens when everyone wins the lottery and nobody needs to work? Sadly, this movie does not move into THAT territory. I think maybe -- if you read between the lines -- you'll see it does not have to.
This movie is well worth watch - maybe even the money. It will make you think. If you are afraid of death and fear pain and believe the purpose to your life is to avoid pain or if you subscribe to the philosophy that "whoever dies with the most toys wins!" then you will HATE his movie. This movie is not made for the greedy, simple minded, Caligula type of capitalist.
Do we have slaves today? Of course we do. Whatever shall we do without Mexicans and illegals, the poor who work for nothing, people who subject themselves to labor in order to pay debt or obligations? Oh, and what a favor we 1% do for them! -- so says the rich man who is capitalizing on their fear and slavery.
Mostly, this movie is wonderfully confusing for those like me who admire the Justine Timberlake character. In "Christmas Carol" Dickens doesn't tell us what happens when Bob Cratchet doesn't do his job anymore, and in this movie we aren't told how society continues on without slaves like Bob Cratchet. Bob married and had more kids than he could afford. He created his reality and should suffer, IMHO, for his decisions. This movie whispers to the watcher the words of Paul --- DON'T DO THAT! Don't get into any sort of debt you can't justify. Sadly, we Americans mostly feel entitled to marriage, kids, a house and disposable income just for being born in the USA! This movie goes beyond that selfish, greedy, anti-Christ attitude.
As a Christian Capitalist myself I loved how this movie made me think and, once again, attempt to make me come to terms with the hypocrisy that surrounds us and forces us to realize the tragedy life really can become for the entitled selfish in the lower classes.
Remember when you watch this one thing and I think you will enjoy it much more, as I did. Justin Timberlake, playing the Christlike role, is not afraid. Not of death, not of being single, not of living alone, not of having no children... fear does not play a role in his life. The secret is thereby revealed in the movie - how do you live a good life of clear conscious? You simply stop fearing death or anything you would deem as failure and expect from your life nothing but serving others and seeking peace.
Time is money - but it doesn't have to be... because fear makes slaves and slavery makes power : but faith is (think Braveheart here) FREEEEEEEDOOOOOOM!