Simply A Masterpiece

Perfect cast and a good story

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

TIMER pretends to be forward-thinking, then "ironically" twists it so that intuitive human love is correct after all without any gadgets. This to me makes the entire premise anti-human on two levels: (1) that we as a species would actually do something this stupid, (2) that we're just monkeys without the gadgets. So, damned if we do, damned if we don't.What this does is justifies the promiscuity, the "blazing hot anonymous sex" with strangers that passes the time until you meet "the one," or else the "it doesn't matter anyway" attitude because "the one" is coming anyway. The movie is furthermore told from an upper-class perspective, so there is the usual digs at privileged living (boring for me to watch). In the same vein, there is a misanthropic anger at people the writer(s) don't particularly like, such as Mary in the nursing home, in a brief scene that really sums up the viciousness of this film.The tender music score belies this boiling anger at love and life. As many have already pointed out, the ending is a middle finger to the entire move, as well as the audience for having participated. It's like they weren't sure whether to fulfill the technological destiny of the vision or go with a complete reversal of our thoughts on Timer, period, but went for a ridiculous middle ground, "whatever turns you on." Besides hedonistic, this is against the premise, that it's NOT whatever turns you on but rather what is supposed to be long-term right for you ,as when Oona met with her father, who seemed to have some insight into destiny - but, stupidly, only because he had a timer :-/Good acting, I guess, for this nonsense. Attractive cast. Good form and pacing. But it's like a pleasant classic statue with paint splotched all over it intentionally. It's supposedly a message but it's really more like a tantrum.

Usually I'm not into romantic comedies (not to mention futuristic romantic comedies!), but Timer can comfortably be the exception to my rule.The movie poses a silly, yet a deeply philosophical assumption.. what if you can tell exactly who your soul-mate is and when you're going to meet him/her. It's a romantic variation of the never-ending existential argument 'What if you know the future? Would it make you any happier?'The movie was funny, no doubt about it! But what I really liked is the film's foot-on-the-ground development of events and ending. This doesn't mean that the story is entirely realistic, but at least it didn't have the usual fairy-tale, happily-ever-after kind of development. The story starts with a lot of questions and leaves you struggling with even more.Timer is not another chick flick. I guarantee that.

Oona (Emma Caulfield) lives in the near future. During the last decade, a company has come out with a "surefire" method for gals and guys to find their soulmates. It implants a "timer" around the wrist, like a permanent piercing, which counts down to the moment your true love enters your life. Oona and her sister Steph (Michelle Borth) have the devices, because the firm guarantees an 80% success rate. But, there are problems. Steph's timer says her soulmate is years away. This makes her go for one night stands with a variety of men, for she doesn't want to have any romantic attachments but also refuses to forgo intimate pleasures. At last she casts her eye on a handsome widower, Brian (Scott Holroyd). Oona is even more unhappy, for her timer has no countdown, indicating her true love has not GOTTEN a timer yet. So, when she meets eligible men, she asks them to get a timer, if they don't have one already, and hopes for the best. No luck so far, as the two devices are supposed to beep in unison if its the genuine article. This not only befuddles her overbearing mother (JoBeth Williams) but the attractive grocery cashier, Mikey (John Patrick Amedon) who wants to date Oona. What's a poor futuristic gal to do? This is quite an unusual romantic comedy, being a sci-fi entry, but oh, is it satisfying and lovely. As one can expect, the essence of true love is dissected and turned upside down. Is there only one soulmate for each of us, as Plato suggested? As of 2012, it doesn't seem so. But, there is an awful lot of divorces, too! Caulfield is beautiful and touching as the main character, with all of the others supporting her very nicely. Sets, costumes, photography and direction work for success. As for the script, its far-out romantic fun! My advice? Set the timer on the stove for no more than five minutes, then hop in your car to go find the best place to snag a DVD.

Normally I tend to avoid writing reviews where all that needed to be said has already been said, unless it's a film I feel very attached to. But TiMER is one of those little surprising experiences that really deserve a few words of praise. It's difficult enough bringing forth something original and well written even when it isn't a rom-com.With an interesting premise - that people can get timers telling them when they will meet their soul mate - the story follows Oona and her sister Steph, who are both nearing their thirties and have yet to find their other halves. Oona, who is to all extents and purposes the main character, goes through a series of lackluster attempts at finding someone who suits her, but the emphasis really is on how her mentality and approach are affected by the awareness that there is a path that needs to be found. When she becomes involved with a young guy, for the sake of it more than anything else, the whole debate around predestination gets a fair questioning in a balanced manner.It's great to see nicely rounded characters who form a believable and not overly sugarcoated unit and the writing aids the actors tremendously in bringing forth this tale of love, family and family love. The film may have some weaker points, but I reckon its conviction, so to say, pays off in the end. Credit is due to the whole cast and crew for managing a fine idea into something that finds its balance early on and is capable of holding on to it until the end. The satisfaction is only greater when it comes as unexpectedly as this little obscure picture.