Movie Time (Well... Time Movie, Actually)

I recently watched a low-budget film called TiMER (as it is officially styled). Friends of mine had suggested it, as had the Netflix Recommending Overmind. It stars Emma Caulfield of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So right there, a trio of reasons to get my interest.

The premise sealed the deal. The film has what is essentially a science fiction conceit, but it is set in the present, and simply uses its gimmick as a launching point for an unusual romantic comedy. In the movie's version of reality, a company has invented a device (the Timer of the title) that is implanted on your wrist. It counts down the days until you will encounter your one true soul mate, and then beep at the moment you first make eye contact with one another.

Oona, the heroine of the movie has an uncommon problem, though. It turns out that a Timer only works if your soul mate, whoever and wherever s/he is, also has a Timer implanted. Oona's Timer remains uselessly blank, and she has suffered disappointment after disappointment as she has dated Timer-less guys, convinced them to get one implanted, and discovered that none of them were in fact her One. As the film begins, she decides to try a different approach to happiness and indulges a relationship with a Timered guy whose countdown is soon to expire. Hilarity ensues.

Well, hilarity is perhaps over-selling it, as the movie isn't a farcical romp. But it did have many moments that made me laugh out loud as I watched. And moreover, it had a lot of surprising sweetness to it. All that, and it managed to tickle the brain here and there with some interesting ideas. If there were such a thing as a Timer, would you want to know?

The film also explores some entertaining facets of its key premise. Oona has a sister, for example, whose Timer indicates it will be more than a decade before she meets her One. (And knowing that "true love" is that far away has given her an interesting outlook on life.) The installation of a Timer led to the divorce of Oona's parents. The ritual of it has led to a bizarre coming-of-age rite of passage among young teenagers. Choosing not to have a Timer brings up social issues too.

Yes, it's a cheaply made film. And yes, it wraps up in a way you'll spot coming from at least the halfway point. But it makes you laugh, makes you think, and might even get you choked up if you allow yourself to be caught up in the sentiment of it. And if you need a couple more reasons to check it out, perhaps a few of the other cast members might provide it, including Desmond Harrington (of Dexter) and JoBeth Williams (of countless films and TV shows; perhaps most notably to my generation as the mother from Poltergeist).

I rate TiMER an A-. And since it's available for Instant viewing on Netflix, it should be pretty easy for most of you to check out if you like.