Time

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The Korean director Kim Ki-duk seems to be quite inconsistent when it comes to the quality of his films: while there are masterpieces like Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring (2003) and 3-Iron (2004), he also has his fair share of disasters like Crocodile (1996). Even though I had once been warned about Time (2006), I did not expect the film to be even below decent. Essentially, the film is about a woman who undergoes extensive plastic surgery in order to "save her relationship".

Kim tries to blend the metaphorical/magical with the literal/realistic again, but the result is a failure. He attempts to raise social and philosophical issues regarding identity, but he makes nothing out of them. The first third of the film shows just how promising the premise is, but the rest of the film hides the lack of proper content under the puzzles and irritating melodrama. However, the biggest offender is the ending which is utterly frustrating and pretentious.

Luckily, the form is very adequate. Kim succeeds in creating an atmosphere which alternates between otherworldly and down-to-earth quite smoothly through careful cinematography and editing. Sadly, that is not enough to redeem this film.

Score: 4 out of 10