Out of Time is a beautifully crafted yet typical thriller. Set in a small town
in the Florida keys, the plot revolves around Police Chief Matthias Whitlock
played by Denzel Washington. He's caught up in the snares of Anne Merai, who's
married to an ex-football hero Chris, played by x-superman Dean Caine.
The movie never really takes off for me, since I was always wary of Anne Merai's
ruse and so couldn't get involved in the plot. It's not long before the Chief is
investigating a double homicide, knowing full well he'll soon emerge as the chief
suspect. To make things all the more juicy, the homicide detective sent to sort
things out is none other than the Chief's estranged wife, Alex, who has just
served him divorce papers.
If the set up of the plot is a stretch, then some of the ploys Matt uses to
squeeze out of trouble are even more eyebrow-raising, but once the excitement
accelerates its hard not to be caught up in the thrill of it all.
Denzel is really great as the police Chief. Denzel knows what he's doing in
front of the camera and his performance here is everything it should be. He's
relaxed and anxious, gullible and clever, sexy and stupid all at once. The film
revolves around Denzel and it's all good.
As Alex, Eva Mendes is all sex-appeal with her big hair and tight clothes. She's
a step behind Denzel all the way in the investigation, which might have something
to do with the fact that this is her first case. But really, the fact that she's
a police detective seems less important than the fact that she's hot.
Like every small town hero, there has to be a quirky sidekick who will save the
day, in this case it's the coroner, Chae. If he overplays the quirks, he's
certainly right on with the recognition that his friend is in trouble. One of
the best scenes in the movie occurs as Chae pieces together the fact that the
Chief is the main suspect. He watches in fascination and with incredulity--as do
we--as Matt sidesteps trouble.
In the end, Out of Time is good old-fashioned storytelling, which makes for an
entertaining enough ride. I found the women's roles to be stereotyped and
irritating. The use of Anne Merai as a femme fatale seemed overdone to the point
of being ridiculous. And Eva Mendes as the heroic good girl seemed equally
clumsy.
Still, Out of Time is pleasant enough. Although the plot is predictable as can
be, there is something to ponder in the morality of this tale. The Chief will do
anything not to be caught, and yet he is not guilty. His misuse of the system he
is paid to uphold is quite thought provoking and very disquieting.
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