In Time (2011)

In time is the latest film from Andrew Niccol, who's previous film was the very underrated Gattaca. You could argue that In Time is Niccol's most intriguing idea yet as it certainly is a great concept on paper. Unfortunately, it struggles to convert into something dynamic and truly ground breaking. 

In the future, everyone stops ageing at 25-but has to work to earn extra time for the rest of their lives. When blue collar worker Will (Justin Timberlake) is given a hundred years by a suicidal man he saves, he sets out to shake up the system.

Time zones separate the rich (who can live for centuries) and the poor (who scramble around day-to-day, trying to find enough time to stay alive). The rich hike up prices in the ghettos, meaning they keep most of the time for themselves and the poor are left to die. This is what is known as the balance.

For the first 45 minutes In Time is a movie that is taut and intriguing. The whole time thing really works-physically and metaphorically. For example, Olivia Wilde is cast as Timberlake's mother but Justin is 3 years older then Olivia In real life. It must of been very hard to try and cast people who all look the same age, yet play very different ages in the film (Amanda Seyfried was the only actor who was actually 25).

Unfortunately after the first half, the film takes on a more sci-fi Robin Hood/Bonnie & Clyde feel. It turns into a noisy chase movie. Timberlake and Seyfried's relationship is far too thin to make us believe they are a powerful outlaw couple, and the plot, once you get past the premise, turns into a movie full of clichés. It feels as if In Time ran out of gas when it came to imaginative ideas.  

Niccol's direction lacks urgency in certain parts of the film, which is slightly underwhelming when the ticking of a clock should provide all the tension you'll ever need for a film like this. You always have a feeling that they'll manage to find enough time to stay alive (even if that means randomly stealing from a rich woman who just happens to be passing on the highway). Additionally, there's also a needless plotline involving Timekeeper Raymond (Cillian Murphy) and Will's Father.

Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried are both very capable actors with potentially strong screen presence, but are somewhat underused here. They make a very cute couple but aren't given much more to do then play your generic on the run action characters. After the first half of the film all they pretty much do is, run, shoot, kiss and play strip poker (I can only assume this is so we can see Justin and Amanda with their shirts off). It's a shame because the more In Time turns into a chase movie, the less interesting it becomes. The film is far more engaging in the first half and has some top notch performances from the supporting cast. Including; Olivia Wilde, Cillian Murphy and Matt Bomer. It's just unfortunate the conclusion is muddled and rushed as time constraints force it to end quickly.

In Time has interesting ideas and an excellent first half, but the Robin Hood style of the second half feels rushed. However, Timberlake certainly shows he can do more then just sing, dance and sing.