Timecrimes

I dropped the ball twice while Timecrimes was screening in NYC. Thankfully I got my grubby little mitts on a copy courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Magnolia just keeps on delivering as of late with titles like Man On Wire, Chocolate, The Mutant Chronicles and Let the Right One In. With a catalog like that, my expectations were freakishly high for Timecrimes.

Quick review is as follows: It's super good. You should watch it. It makes ya think.
Any longer of a review and you're going to inevitably enter spoiler country. I'm fine with it... just be warned of what's to come.

Here's the meat a potatoes of it: Timecrimes is a Spanish language film that follows a man, Hector, through time. Literally. I am a sucker for overlapping story and putting pieces together. I like when a film challenges me. Timecrimes did just that. It took a very simple story and layered it on top of itself. As Hector races to make sense of what's going on, the viewer becomes privy to other levels of the story. At times this seemingly simplistic tale folds over itself so totally that the pause button comes in handy. I did pause this film. It's also helpful to have a friend around. Some things make more sense once you talk them through.

Suspension of disbelief is also a necessity. You must not only believe that time travel is possible, but you must also accept every move that Hector chooses to make. At times I took issue with his choices. In order to enjoy this film, you have to go along for the ride. The time travel itself raises many deeper questions in regards to morals, free will and destiny. All very interesting themes that this film merely brushed against, never really delving into the deep stuff. I also take issue with the way this filmed seemed to be marketed. The posters and even the trailer make it out to seem much more sinister than it is. It's not candy canes and cherry blossoms, but it certainly isn't a grimy thriller.

I highly recommend this one and am sad to report no release date as of yet. I will keep you posted though. It is definitely worth a look. Especially if you're into well done (but not perfect), non liner story telling.

EDIT: 3/31/09 pre order!