Timecode (2000)

Starring – Salma Hayek, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Stellan Skarsgard, Holly Hunter, Steven Weber, Leslie Mann, Saffron Burrows, Xander Berkeley
Director – Mike Figgis
Domestic Gross – $1,057,750
Running Time - 97 minutes

This is one of the most ambitious and difficult films I’ve ever seen. There are 4 stories being told that intertwine, but rather than edit them together the director filmed them all and showed them all continuously. The screen is split into quadrants with each one playing one of the perspectives. The audio is then played from whichever the Director has decided is important at the time. At times it is even playing more than one audio track at a time. It is exceptionally confusing because nothing cues you as to which one section of the screen you are listening to. That said the filmmaking is very impressive. All 4 perspectives were shot in continuous takes from a basic outline and improvised by all the actors. As a result the story was simplistic, but still fairly entertaining. If you are interested in the craft of filmmaking I would recommend watching this. If not, go ahead and skip it. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a splitting headache. Also, do not attempt to watch this on a small screen. It could be hazardous to your health.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.