IN TIME

title: IN TIME
year: 2011
cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyried, Cillian Murphy, Olivia Wilde
rating: ***

TIME IS MONEY would be a great alternate title for this science-fiction film wherein the extremely gorgeous population only ages to twenty-five years, but with digital clocks across their arm indicating how much they have left, they can gather more time through working and stealing – some can live eternally having gathered enough – but people also spend time, literally, for food and lodging and… everything else. Sound like a confusing premise? Well it is, sort of, but the film itself is actually lightweight and enjoyable, playing out like a made-for-cable action movie. Justin Timberlake is Will Salas, a working class fellow who saves a guy showing off an unlimited amount of time, quite dangerous in the urban town. The woeful stranger gives Salas all his hours, which adds up to many years and money: allowing our hero the opportunity to meet some heavy-hitters in a gambling casino: including the tycoon behind the time-aging operation, whose reclusive and curious daughter takes to the risky stranger. Then, wrongfully accused of murder, Salas, with the lovely Amanda Seyried in tow, make off like a futuristic Bonnie and Clyde: tracked by cops, villains, and with their lifeline down to the wire (think of a futuristic D.O.A.). Justin Timberlake is a decent actor – he’s got the mannerisms and expressive emotions to hit the marks, but his voice sounds like it's still changing. And the ever-shady Cillian Murphy, as the “Minute Man” cop on the duo’s tail, holds this breezy yarn together.