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Quickie Review - Timecrimes (Minor Spoilers)

After hearing about this movie a lot recently, I dove in last night. Clear head, full stomach and a couple of cups of coffee ready. Time travel movies need you sharp and this one was no different. Like all movies, I went in with a blank slate. I knew absolutely nothing about this, other than it being a time travel movie. So the first scene sees this buffoon trip his way around his house, while his wife works busily. I noticed something right away. What's interesting, is not one review I read after seeing the movie even touched on it. The bet on the table. Hector knew the table wasn't going to fit in the house. So I'm assuming right away, he's done this before.

Fast forward close to 80 minutes and the same table is used in two scenes that are meant to mimic each other. Now, without noticing the obvious hint, this makes the movie very neatly wrapped and people can go home happy. I wasn't, because not only does it mean there is either another layer, it could mean it was an enormous plot hole. So say I'm wrong and there is another reason for it, then the movie is to be taken as is. But then, how do you explain what transpires right after the table incident, if there was Hector #1?

Timecrimes is very well done for the genre. It is absolutely killed by a lethargic performance by it's star, but the story alone is fun. It also uses a very clever technique, which has been commented on, but is absolutely brilliant. The director uses breasts as a distraction to an enormous plot hole. That might sound funny or downright ridiculous, but at some point in the movie, no matter if you are male or female, you are taken by this beautiful nude woman who is utterly (pun intended) perfect. What this scene does is it allows you to forget that there is no logical explanation for it happening, because the logic actually contradicts the plot....unless of course you picked up on the table hint. The second time we see the woman, we're not shown her naked body and in an odd instinctual reaction, we're sidetracked. While we wonder why they edited it, we're distracted again, by the second plot hole.

I don't like giving things away, so I'll say this. Timecrimes is good. It's no Triangle as it's been compared and it's not even as effective as Looper in many ways, but when you realize that they created a time travel movie with no special effects and only four speaking parts, it's absolutely genius. It is one of those movies I'll revisit a year or two from now and probably appreciate more for it's artistic prowess, but a lot less for it's ability to deceive and confuse. If you do adore this genre, it will without a doubt jump to the top of your favorite list.

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