Time Out Of Mind (2015) -Oren Moverman

Oren Moverman, the acclaimed filmmaker behind such films as The Messengers & Rampart, returns to the directors chair with Time Out of Mind, a film which provides a inside look at George, a homeless, potentially ill man who wanders the streets of New York City.  Time Out of Mind is a film intent not only telling an in-depth character study, but also in exploring the world of homelessness, including the institutions allotted to these men and woman, with the film showing a desire to  touch on the system itself, as well as the culture and lifestyle.  Homeless individuals are often not perceived as people by much of society,and one of Time Out Of Mind's most important aspects is its ability to confront the viewer about their lack of empathy.  While the pacing of the film and its overall meandering quality is sure to annoy some viewers, I would certainly argue that it is an important choice by the filmmakers,  and a good one for a film that is attempting to transport the viewer into its world.  Time Out of Mind is also photographed in a way that attempts to give the film a documentary-type of feeling of authenticity, using primarily dirty compositions with an observational  eye.  The photography is almost always at a distance in one way or the other, hiding behind windows, fences, or significant distances,  providing the eye of a onlooker of the events depicted in the film, as if it doesn't know how this story is going to end.  The filmmakers also use a lot of red hues primarily through the use of lighting, primarily employed in moments of quiet strife for George as a character, a man who is tormented by his failings as a father to his deranged daughter.  George has a run in with a host of other characters throughout Time Out of Mind, each providing their own unique context to the viewer, capturing the loss of hope, troubled past, and utter denial that have seen so many individuals decide not to participate in society.  The details of George's life are revealed slowly and methodically by a strong screenplay that never goes into a lot of detail but make no mistake it certainly packs a emotional punch.  Taking its time along the way, Oren Moverman's Time Out of Mind looks at the homeless from an impressive amount of perspectives, with its character study elements slowly building to its emotionally poignant conclusion.

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