353. Our Time (Nuestro Tiempo); movie review
Cert 15
173 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong sex, language
An open marriage implies a relationship which is transparent and easygoing, doesn't it?
Carols Reygadas's Our Time suggests that it is likely to be far more complicated than a conventional one.
This is because it adds an extra layer to the usual emotions and issues, throwing outsiders into the mix.
Our Time doesn't simply dismiss an open marriage as a concept bound to failure as movies usually would - instead, it pores over it, analysing every nuance.
Unfortunately, that means that it is three hours long.
The marriage is that of Juan (Reygadas) and Ester (Natalia López) who live on a huge Mexican ranch where fighting bulls are raised.
Ester is in charge of running the ranch, while Juan is a world-renowned poet, who selects and nurtures the beasts.
Through their business, they have an American friend (Phil Burgers), a horsebreaker who visits and shares intimate moments with Esther.
Unusually, these dalliances are encouraged by Juan who is conflicted about getting sexually excited by his wife being with another man while being simultaneously jealous that her desires are more intense than with him.
Indeed, he is so conflicted about what he wants from his marriage and his wife that the confusion leads to danger.
Our Time would have received a big thumbs up from me if it had kept to its central point.
Unfortunately, the camera often wanders into the land of art for art sake and the audience is left to drift off into reverie or simply tap their fingers.
In short, this should not be a nearly three-hour movie. Not nearly enough happens to warrant such a large slice of time.
At its heart, it is passionate and engaging. As it is, too much of its life is squeezed out of it because it lasts so long.
Reasons to avoid: Meanders so much and way too long
Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6/10
Did you know? According to American research, about four to five per cent of heterosexual couples have given their consent to not be monogamous.
Final word. Carlos Revgadas: "In a world that is coming to a close, that of fighting bulls, surrounded by love and family harmony, the couple in this film confronts these issues in a radical manner: by facing the imminent destruction caused by an extramarital desire."
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