Review of In Time

Rating: 6/10 (18 December 2011)

Justin Timberlake is quickly becoming one of the most popular Hollywood actors of 2011. After performing in two romantic comedies (Friends with Benefits, Bad Teacher), he finally got leading role in Andrew Niccol's sci-fi movie In Time, where he has to do a bit more than just be handsome. In In Time Andrew Niccol (writer of great movies like The Terminal and The Truman Show) presents the idea of people stop aging at the age of 25 (50 years old woman is played by Olivia Wilde, God bless this technology). But everything is not as idyllic as it sounds, after reaching 25, your time is limited to only one more year, after your time expires you are simply shut down because there is no space left on the Earth. Time is a currency, a key to get everything from cup of coffee to couple of prostitutes, so logic is simple – the less you spend, the longer you live.
The story is quite simple: Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) was ordinary, but exceptionally honorable Ghetto boy counting his last days and one night he accidentally got rich, at the same being accused of murder. He runs away from Ghetto, becomes a rebellious fugitive and tries to make world a better place. Oh, he also grabs attractive rich man's daughter as hostage on his way.
In Time tries to be action thriller and has enough elements to be considered as such – racing cars (ugly modified, weird sounds making American muscles, I must mention), hiding, running, chasing, shooting scenes – but its social aspect rises above them all. Relationship between rich and poor, drama of both sides, different views to life (immortality and 25 years long insecure life; living free and living surrounded by bodyguards and high walls), finally, an allusion to importance of time and money in our real lives.
The main idea of not aging after 25 made whole cast choice a bit limited; all the actors had to be really young, sometimes lack of experience can be felt, especially when the lead actor is not a real professional. However, J.T.'s acting was not bad, so as it was not very impressive. Age restrictions didn't prevent Cillian Murphy from showing good performance, even though he is a whole decade older than his bad guy character – Time Keeper.
Besides really unique main idea, In Time sometimes might feel like a sci-fi flavored Romeo and Juliet's love story, with Robin Hood'ish elements at second half. It has interesting and believable environment, scenes are filled with catchy dialogues, which only improves atmosphere ("Will: Four minutes for a cup of coffee? Will's Friend: Yesterday it was three! Coffee worker: You want coffee or you want to reminisce?"). Sadly, this movie manages to keep interest only for the first half, later on it becomes chaotic and predictable at the same time.
To end with, In Time is not a bad movie, but it probably won't make people who do not like sci-fi change their opinion. Unique ideas like this do not come very often, it had a lot of potential, but, I believe, not all of it was used. Anyway, it still remains pretty interesting new experience, when everything in cinemas starts to give sense of repeating.