5 Minutes of Visuals with Amber Wilkinson
While the world of Spanish time travel has certainly been explored, the recent cinematic landscape owes much of its modern, delightfully twisted complexity to the debut of Nacho Vigalondo’s Timecrimes. This brilliant concept finds a fresh, comedic lens through the work of director Javier Ruiz Caldera, who has brought the premise to life in his entry to the San Sebastian Film Festival Official Competition.
Ruiz Caldera, alongside writer Berto Romero, masterfully employs a set of simple, easily understood rules that don’t just serve as plot mechanics; they are the very engine that fuels the tension and the infectious humour throughout the narrative.
At the heart of the story are Toni (Romero) and Barbara (Belén Cuesta), two individuals attempting to navigate the complicated terrain of mending their less than rosy relationship. Seeking a weekend escape from their troubles, they head into the countryside in a car, where the atmosphere is decidedly chippy.
This journey is less about pastoral bliss and more about confronting the uncomfortable truths they have been avoiding. Conversations turn to counselling, the complex situation with their son, and the essential need for open honesty with one another.
As the road unwinds, the bickering only intensifies, leading to a moment of unexpected, thrilling chaos. A brief stop for an extra bout of playful arguing leads to a close shave with a speeding car, which turns out to be driven by Carlos (Javier Cámara), injecting an unforeseen dose of adrenaline into their domestic drama.
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