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Out of Time
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Out of Time
by George O. Singleton
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HHH
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Cast
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Denzel Washington Matt Whitlock
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Sanaa Lathan Anne Merai Harrison
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Dean Cain Chris Harrison
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Eva Mendes Alex Diaz-Whitlock
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Directed by John Lucas. Film noir crime drama. Rated PG-13 for sexual content, violence and some language. MGM. Running time: 114 minutes
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Set up
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Matt Whitlock (Denzel Washington) is the Chief of Police in Banyan Key, a Miami suburb with a population of less than 1,400 people. He sports an earring and wears Bermuda shorts as he makes his rounds. After two bodies are found in an arson fire, the mounting evidence points to Matt as the primary suspect. A neighbor, who saw a man in the victims' backyard, describes for the police sketch artist a man that resembles the Chief. Phone records are faxed that lead to the discovery of Matt's affair with murder victim Ann Merai (Sanaa Lathan of "Brown Sugar"), and a hotel clerk is ready to identify him, which will blow the charade as he pretends to be someone else.
Matt is confused by the turn of events, and when the Miami police obtain jurisdiction on the arson investigation Matt and his estranged wife, Detective Alex Whitlock (Eva Mendes), are forced to work together professionally for a short while. She's moving up in the ranks of the Miami Police Department and he has to move fast to stay one step ahead of her. Matt was deep into his rebound romance with Ann Merai, and he's soon twisting facts to avoid a murder indictment where he has motive, means and the opportunity to have committed the crime.
Chae (John Billingsley) is the Banyan Key Medical Examiner and a good friend of Matt's. He's also not averse to taking the money in Whitlock's office safe, confiscated from a major drug bust, and disappearing to a tropical paradise for an early retirement.
An incriminating piece of evidence is found implicating Matt in yet another death, and a witness is enroute to the police station who places Matt in the room of the latest victim. His fate appears to be sealed.
As usual, Pam is way ahead of George when it comes to figuring things out. Take a few clues like money in a safe, a large life insurance policy and a terminal cancer diagnosis, and Pam is ready to look at the film at a second level of detail while George is having fun on level one.
Beautifully photographed in a film noir style, though in warm, tropical hues, Denzel's latest is an entertaining thriller, similar to another project he teamed with director Carl Franklin on, "Devil in a Blue Dress" and last year's " High Crimes," with Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman. Although the predictable, "all's well" happy ending will be pleasing to many, we would have preferred a grittier resolution, like Franklin's highly regarded "One False Move."
Along the way there are some nice surprises in the roles played by Dean Cain as Chris Harrison, Anne Merai's husband, and Lathan, Billingsley and Mendes, creating a fine ensemble cast. Lathan shows on the big screen that she deserves to be in roles other than just romantic heart warmers. She is a budding Angela Bassett/Diane Lane actress. Billingsley is a new type of buddy sidekick, and Mendes reunites with Denzel from " Training Day," in a smart, sexy role that leaves you wanting for more (especially the men). Often after a grueling workweek, a well written, well-acted thriller, with some humor thrown in, is a perfect way to start the weekend. You just found it!
George O. Singleton © 2003
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