Out of Time (2003)

241: Out of Time. This movie is the pure definition of an page turner thriller. This movie puts Denzel Washington's Florida police chief into a situation that seems to be dragging him further and further down. This situation is something that he does bring on himself. He is cheating on his wife with a high school sweetheart, herself still married to an abusive former football player played by Dean Cain. But after she puts him as the beneficiary on her life insurance and then she and her husband end up dead, the police chief finds himself as the prime suspect. It is definitely a goofy movie. All these reveals come complete with swelling music. Denzel Washington does his best to get ahead of the investigation which is naturally headed up by his wife. Just coincidence after coincidence. Nothing really comes out of left field for this film. You seem everything coming a mile away and the comedic relief medical examiner is too over the top and kind of grates on your nerves. If you like this sort of movie, it's okay but ultimately for me it's just not very good. I give this movie a D.

I thought Out of Time was OK, mostly because of Denzel's acting. In this flick, he portrays a local police chief with questionable morals. He drinks on duty, he plays a bit loose with evidence, and then, there's the women in his life.Eva Mendes looks absolutely stunning here. However, I found her a bit miscast as Denzel's soon-to-be ex-wife, now ex-cop, promoted to Detective. I found her unconvincing as a detective, but give her high grades for effort. I think she just lacked the acting skills to keep up with Denzel.On the other hand, the other woman in the story, Sanaa, she was terrific. She portrays Denzel's high school sweetheart, and I guess they split, but now, she's back in his life. She is apparently dying, and Denzel starts feeling sorry for her, and he does things he shouldn't do to help her. then things get out of control and Denzel is trying to stay one step ahead of the investigation while he's trying to figure out what the heck is going on.His medical partner, Chae, John Billingsley, was also terrific. He has Denzel's back at all times, and portrays this likable, but annoying, gadfly-like character who kind of annoys you, but intrigues you at the same time. Chae plays a real important role at many times in this movie, particularly the end.However, despite good acting, the plot is somewhat thin. Since you know that Denzel is innocent, there's no mystery thinking that maybe he is guilty. See the movie, Gone, where at least you were wondering if Amanda Seyfried was crazy or not. Once you knew Denzel was innocent, it wasn't a big leap to figure out who was behind all this mess. So a weak plot spoiled otherwise strong acting and interesting characters.Based on all these factors, I give it a 6 out of 10. Worth a watch, just adjust your expectations to a B grade movie and you'll be fine.

I believe in short reviews.Its a treat. If you survive first 35 minutes then you are on joy ride in front row of roller coaster. Its written very well. Director has done great job but after first 35 minutes. But in first 35 minutes, I think they have wasted much time in trying to build story and if you are watching this movie like me on DVD, you will be cursing yourself and thinking about ejecting DVD at any minute. Thats one weak point of-course in my point of view.Denzel is great actor and he acted very well. Eva was good but Sanaa Lathan was OK. Last but not the least "John Billingsley", he justified his role.Last words, very gripping, heart throbbing and intense thriller and you will not feel like "Out of time" while watching this movie.

Out of Time is directed by Carl Franklin and written by David Collard. It stars Denzel Washington, Eva Mendes, Sanaa Lathan, Dean Cain and John Billingsley. Music is by Graeme Revell and cinematography by Theo Van de Sande.Matthias Whitlock (Washington) is chief of police in little Banyan Key, Florida. Respected for his work and basically honest in the line of duty. Away from work, however, his marriage to Alex (Mendes) has failed, he's having an affair with an abused wife and he likes a little drink on duty. So when his lover Anne Harrison (Lathan) springs on him the shocking news that she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, it naturally shakes his world. But this news is merely the start of something bigger, for pretty soon Matt will be in the unusual situation of having to stay one step of his own kind or face dire consequences.It's a film proudly wearing a badge of homage to film noir of the 40s. In fact it very much plays out as a contemporary riff on John Farrow's excellent Ray Milland starrer of 1948, The Big Clock. But that's fine, especially when you have some knowing craft in front and behind the camera in the shape of Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress) and Washington (take your pick here really!). Yet as great as Franklin and Washington's work is, they all owe a debt to Collard's screenplay. Inventive in how it plays out as a plot, with it's many tight situations laid down for Washington's duped law enforcer to try and get out of, the screenplay has a knack for deft humour, often sly, which is something that even some of the hardest of noirs from the golden era are tinted with. The secret is being able to blend the humour with quality moments of suspense, and this picture manages to do that with some interest.Film also benefits greatly from the tight atmosphere created by photographer de Sande. Sweaty Florida in daylight doesn't cry out as being a good starting point for an offshoot of film noir (real Florida locations were thankfully used), but the scenic beauty is never realised during the drama sequences, colours are toned down, even for a stunning red sky, and this perfectly becomes at one with a near frantic Washington as the tricksters of Banyan Key start to close in on him. It's nice too see, also, interracial couples forming the core of the story, while the dominance of sexuality is firmly given a shrewd work over by director and writer. There's good thought gone in to making this, enough to steer it away from charges of just being a faux neo-noir production.Problems? Yes, a few. Inevitability of outcome is hard to shake off whilst viewing it, especially for those well versed in the genre (sub-genre). Clichés and contrivances are stacked up like a pile of cop thriller 101 books, and Franklin goes smug (daft) by dropping in a couple of slow frame sequences that the film clearly didn't need. While the big showdown in the finale lacks a gut punch. But this is a good viewing, sexy at times and always eye catching, it also pleasingly chooses perky dialogue over action to make its dramatic point. The cast around Washington enhance the quality: Lathan in the tricky role shows a number of layered gears, Cain is imposing as a bully boy husband (where did this Cain go?) and Billingsley almost sneaks in and steals the movie as the loyal and stoic comedy side-kick.So pesky flaws aside, this is a good recommendation as a night in movie for those with a kink for contemporary neo-noir. 7/10