When three friends discover a mysterious camera that has the ability to take photographs exactly 24 hours into the future, they are torn between moral responsibility and greedy curiosity. Inevitably, as artistic and financial aspirations win out, they are plunged into a spiral of suspicion and paranoia that pressurises their relationships as true natures are revealed.
Drawing on influences from films too numerous to mention that feature similar themes of distorted time and the paradox that follows, Time Lapse from director Bradley King (who also co-wrote with B.P.Cooper) manages to retain a certain mysterious originality. This is a dark tale of cause and effect; of the unavoidable consequences to be faced when human nature’s compulsion to do the right thing is suppressed by one simple question: “What if?”
In the case of Time Lapse this question arises as Finn (Matt O’Leary) and, to a lesser extent, girlfriend Callie’s (Danielle Panabaker) protestations are countered by the persuasiveness of their flatmate Jasper (George Finn). What initially begins as rhetoric concerning the opportunity to make a little money quickly develops into a situation far more sinister and ultimately beyond their control. Through subtle, voyeuristic direction that reflects one of the films themes King has produced a stylish and bleakly pessimistic portrayal of how simple failings and character quirks can become prominently malevolent.
At the heart of Time Lapse is the suspicion regarding how well you actually know you friends as the pressure the group come under strips away their presented niceties and reduces them to almost feral status, their decisions becoming instinctual rather than rationally considered, resulting in their situation becoming more and more desperate. The main cast deliver performances that are wholly believable without the need for over-dramatisation, giving the film a truly realistic feel surrounding what is essentially a fantastical idea.
There are one or two minor issues but how much these affect your enjoyment of the film will entirely depend on how absorbed you are in the story on screen. As with any film that deals with time the science is somewhat convoluted and the supporting characters are a little stereotypical, something emphasised by the strength of the three leads and the everyman feel to their personalities.
OVERALL SUMMARY
For a first feature Time Lapse is extremely impressive. The filmmakers have successful delivered a thought provoking and unsettling drama that draws the viewer in, skilfully managing to capture Twilight Zone-esque intrigue while gradually building an atmosphere full of underlying threat. Time Lapse is screening at 7.45pm on Saturday October 4th For more information visit www.shriekfest.com
