While this isn't the best noir directed by Carl Franklin, nor the best star vehicle for Denzel Washington, nor the best noir directed by Carl Franklin that ALSO doubles as a star vehicle for Denzel Washington (that is, of course, Devil In A Blue Dress), Out Of Time is the kind of enjoyable and silly entertainment that makes you wish that Franklin and Washington worked together on a dozen more movies.
Washington is Matt Lee Whitlock, a police chief in Florida who is separated from his wife, Alex (Eva Mendes), and tries to make plenty of time to get hot and heavy with Ann (Sanaa Lathan) whenever her husband (Chris, played by Dean Cain) is busy at work. Ann has some bad news though. Cancer. The treatment that might save her life is far too expensive. Whitock thinks he may be able to help though, if he can temporarily make use of a large stash of cash being held in his evidence room. The evidence won't need to be examined for a while, which gives him plenty of time to sort everything else out and get it back before anyone notices. Unfortunately, things change very quickly. Whitlock needs to work fast to stay one step ahead of people investigating a crime on his patch, as well as some people heading to his office to collect that pile of money.
Out Of Time is ridiculous for almost every moment of the runtime, but it's ridiculous AND entertaining. The 105 minutes just fly by, helped by the fact that Whitlock has to keep moving faster and faster as soon as he knows that people are breathing down his neck and watching his every move. One of those people being his ex-wife adds a layer of tension, but that's offset slightly by a good friend (Chae, played by John Billingsley) who is always eager to help. Dave Collard's screenplay keeps the emphasis on the fast-thinking and happy coincidences that allow our lead to maintain his freedom, even if that looks set to inevitably come to an end before the end credits roll, and Franklin directs everything with the perfect level of energy and Denzel-charged charism.
Washington is great in the lead role, at his most charming and confident, even as the walls close in tighter around him. Both Lathan and Cain also do well, with the latter really making the most of a moment opposite Washington that is the absolute highlight of the entire movie, both men speaking to each other directly while covering the truth in a very thin layer of metaphorical clothing. Mendes does well with what could have been a nothing part, considering how she is one of the people who have to be kept a step or two behind Washington's character, and Billingsley is just the right kind of comic relief, highlighting the true moral compass of our lead by often referring to his own willingness to exploit the situation.
Absolutely disposable nonsense, more interested in allowing a star to spend time delivering some of that star swagger than anything else, but everyone gives their usual attention to their individual work, from Theo Van De Sande's cinematography to Graeme Revell's score. It may not be one you'll think of revisiting often, but it's a fun time while it's on.
6/10
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