Iffy for 13+
Sci-fi thriller has violence, sexuality, language.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this sci-fi adventure features a fair bit of violence, twentysomething sexuality, and heavy themes about social equality and injustice that may not be appropriate for tweens interested in seeing a Justin Timberlake movie. Language includes one "f--k," as well as "s--t," "damn," "ass"; violent scenes feature close-range shootings (mostly bloodless), people dropping dead when their clocks reach zero, and one suicide. Sex is implied rather than shown, but there's a skinny-dipping scene with a glimpse of a nude bottom, as well as strip poker and some skimpy lingerie. There's a Robin Hood-esque theme to the second half of the movie, but it's wrapped around a shallower Bonnie-and-Clyde vibe of "let's have fun robbing from the rich." Despite the movie's mixed messages, one lesson is loud and clear: Don't waste your time.
- Families can talk about the movie's sci-fi themes. Why are futuristic storylines so compelling to audiences? Is this vision of the future a positive one or a cautionary tale? Can you think of other movies with futures that seem better to live in than this time-obsessed one?
- How do the filmmakers cleverly use "time" to replace wealth in the story? Pick out a few examples of how characters literally mean it when they say "I'm out of time," or "have a minute?"
- How is the movie's message of wealth distribution and injustice relevant today?
The good stuff
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Messages: The idea that time is precious is a good message for all, as is the notion that no one should ever die so that someone else can become richer. But the movie's moral is muddied by the main characters' inconsistent behavior. How can they judge who merits the time and who doesn't? Still, despite their dire situation, Will and his mother love each other unconditionally and are always willing to spare some time for each other and those who are even less fortunate.
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Role models: At times, Will is a good role model: He's a loving son, a generous man, and a good friend. His mother is also a sweet and kind woman who gives her son time she can't really spare. The manager of the local mission gives most of his time away to the needier, and even Sylvia grows to understand the plight of the timeless.
What to watch for
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Violence: Plenty of shootings (some at close range, though there's little blood); one suicide. Most people die when their countdown clock hits zero, and this can happen to anyone -- particularly the poor -- at any time if they can't find someone to give or lend them some extra time until their next time-paying job. The dead are shown peppered throughout the streets; in one heartbreaking scene, two characters miss being reunited by a second, and it's just long enough for one to die in the other's arms. Those who do have more than enough time can still die if someone steals their time or if they're injured beyond repair in an accident, by a gun shot, etc. Most of the characters who die in the movie have their "clocks cleared," although a few are shot.
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Sex: Will and Sylvia hook up pretty quickly; they flirt and go skinny dipping (her nude bottom is shown under the water) before they even have their first kiss. Later, after their first passionate kiss, they end up staying together and making out. They play strip poker on a bed, and Sylvia is obviously losing -- she's down to her lace bra and panties. There's no actual love scene, though, since the couple is interrupted before they can go all the way (although it's clear they've done so off camera). In other scenes, a prostitute propositions a cop and rich women wear tight, revealing outfits.
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Language: Occasional use of words like "s--t," "ass," "damn," and "hell," as well as one memorable "f--k" (said as "un-f--king-believable." "God" and "Jesus"-based exclamations are said several times as well.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults drink wine, champagne, and hard liquor at social events, a bar, and in private. Will's best friend (literally) drinks himself to death by using all of his bonus "time" on alcohol.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Not enough time to Develope this one by micahe
I'm a Justin Fan, but this film left a lot to be answered. I thought it was under developed. The ending felt like it was just getting started. The Characters were too obvious and too quick to catch our "hero". I didnt like knowing that Citizens had no control over their destiny and time lay just down the Street in a Bank. It was a hard concept to swallow. It didn't seem real. The extras seem like they were out of a Charles Dicken's Christmas Special. It just felt like it had potential but missed the mark.
3
Interesting concept, but not without holes. by miahz
The film's vision is interesting, this alternative future/present. Something that could be. But only if you don't look too deep below the surface. Stylized retro cars with electrical sound effects, unique fashion including gloves and long sleeves to cover these implanted wrist clocks, but no mobile phones? Swipe your wrist to pay for everything. Classes segregated into "time zones" you must pay a huge toll to cross?
This world where time is literally money and and no one ages past 25, makes for a few clever scenes, but starts to feel preachy very early on. We're meant to feel bad for these people struggling day-to-day, while they live in a video game world that turns making a living into a race against the clock. Oh, but it's the few evil rich people hoarding all the time for themselves that are to blame! Hmm, sounds familiar.
But it's hard to feel anything for these flat characters. The actors can't be blamed much ? the script is just not that deep. All vision, little substance.
4
In Time - a timeless Robin Hood duo by globalreach
In a society that doesn't grow old, the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor, those with time enjoy life while those without scrounge for time just to survive. It's a new take on the fountain of youth; and a sci-fi thriller that delivers. Two radicals, one from each background, take on the system in an attempt to battle greed and hoarding by stealing time from those who have it and giving to those without.
5
In Time, go see it! by SuperDuperDad
I really enjoyed this movie, two thumbs up! The scene with the mother is incredibly powerful and pretty much sets the intensity for the rest of the film!
4
In Time by pmurr
Set in a dystopic future where "time" has replaced "money" as the currency, I really liked this movie for it's ideas. The film had some slow spots and the acting wasn't anything that will win an Academy Award. The cinematography was excellent in conveying the dread of the people living in the ghetto just barely surviving juxtaposed with the ennui of the wealthy who weren't really living either. This film said alot about our current economic situation and class warfare depicted as the rich were confined to one time zone and the poor to another. I thought Justin Timberlake did a credible job as the antihero striving to change society for the better. Amanda Seyfried was ok as Timberlake's superrich kidnapped girlfriend. She gave the film some pretty good comic moments as well as adding to the damsel in distress motif. I would say that this film would be appropriate for most teenagers, but not little children. In conclusion, this film has some strong ideas that were communicated well.
4
"In Time:" Keeps Time Perfectly...An Engaging & Entertaining Film by Alon Patterson
Every now and then someone shows a little imagination out there in 'Hollywoodland.' Albeit rare, ever so often we get to see something new, or something old repurposed as new-like. Such is the case with "In Time." Those accustomed to staccato, thrill a minute, type movies might actually miss the allegory in this film. There's a story here and then there's another much subtler one. It's no classic or a blockbuster but "In Time" is solidly entertaining, end-to-end. That's why I go to the movies, to be entertained. This one's definitely worth the price of today's theater ticket. There's violence and a few scenes that could be disturbing to small children. Otherwise, I think it's safe viewing. See it. You won't be disappointed.
4
In time by roxy326
It was a lot better than I thought it would be..a little slow in a few parts but for the most part kept my attention..
3
I'll have the movie medium rare...86 the agenda! by Reel_Scoop
Cool concept and decent (non alien) sci-fi. However, if you want to enjoy this film, you absolutely must accept that the writer and director have an agenda and then disregard it completely.
If you watch the film for its fun, creative suspense...it's pretty good. However, if you can't throw the other stuff out of your head then you'll probably just get pissed off at the liberal agenda of trying to draw parallels to current society, like somehow capitalism is bad and that anyone who becomes successful did it on the blood, sweat and tears of those born into lower income families.
Personally, the "hidden meaning" is so blatant that it actually didn't bother me too much. In fact it becomes downright laughable when you see the message that making money makes you evil and then you realize that you just dropped $30+ for 2 tickets, a small bag of popcorn and a bottle of water.
5
A must see for the sci-fi fan! by alaskaman79
Great movie, does an awesome job of juxtaposing the future with the current social political and financial situation in this country. The rich control the wealth and can live for eons while the poor need to struggle to stay alive day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.
5
A script written in the centuries by bradleywaynebrown
Probably the most powerful aspect of In Time is the dialogue. It has classic lines reminiscent of philosophers of bygone times. This story is of greed and courage and echos the streets and parks of now -- Occupy. Stop the monied interests. A magnificent concept and well-done execution. They need to release the script for reading. Tons of cogent and meaningful quotes.