Time Out of Mind

A tough movie to watch to say the least. It's not all shine and glory in this one. A lot of people would say this movie qualifies as "waste of time". And it is, if you cannot tune into the mindset and the general idea of the movie. What it tries to tell us and how it tries to achieve that goal. It could easily be a documentary. Actually some scenes could be have been shot "on the fly".

Gere goes all out for a role that really is tough to pull off. Homeless people are not something most of us are concerned, especially when it does affect us directly. And it is showing with how we handle them or how we approach them (there are a few things/scenes early on, that underline that sentiment). It's drama and if you are prepared for it, the movie will reward you. But if it's not your thing, you'll know early on and shouldn't continue to watch ...

It's a simple and at the same time complicated film. Complicated to decipher the message that wants to convey through the language of the shots. Simple for the description and development of the character George who tries to restore a natural relationship with his daughter who has not seen for years and to describe his being and his consequent precarious and disadvantaged social condition. A completely atypical and passive acting as well as being completely categorical and absolutely empathic. The film certainly could be boring because the average viewer is used to a faster pace and a more active and active atmosphere, but the message he wants to bring is completely unique and different from the usual, which justifies him absolutely and certainly that it is not a film recommended to everyone.

One time I visited San Francisco as a tourist, and the one thing that stroke me about that city was the big number of homeless people asking for money everywhere. I thought: how is this possible in one of the richest cities of the world?? Somebody told me that they are all mentally ill people, but I doubted... isn't it maybe that they just can't or don't want to find a job? I would rather believe in this explanation, because I couldn't grasp mental illness at the level where you prefer to be sleeping in the streets and wandering around instead of getting the simplest job to live with dignity.

Time Out Of Mind made me understand it. I see now that there probably is a large part of homeless people (specially those that remain in that status for a long time) whose main problem is mental sickness, not lack of skills or will.

The main character (George) is a mentally troubled old man. He has been homeless for 10 years and he is "fucked up" in his own words. The only relative he has in this world is a daughter who he loves but can't connect with because of his own mind.

The style of the film is very passive, to the point some people think there is no story in the movie, but that is not true, it just happens very smoothly.

The movie is about a delusional man who tries to overcome his own mind to be able to regain his daughter, who is about to leave the city. It contains an interesting message, and a beautiful story if you don't miss it (hint: try to figure out who is real and who is fictional in the movie).

I rate it with 8/10 because I think the movie could have been clearer/more direct without sacrificing its good parts. It could have been more explicit in the climax, more evident, and still keep the realistic portrait of the mentally ill homeless.

"I'm homeless. I'm nobody. I don't exist." George (Gere) is a homeless man struggling to survive in New York. Spending his days begging for food and money he is at the end of his rope. When he meets another man in the same position he finds a friend and someone that he can lean on for help. When he tries to reconnect with his daughter Maggie (Malone) everyone involved has to look at themselves and their past. This is a difficult movie to review. The movie itself is OK, very depressing but it keeps you watching even though nothing really happens. On the other hand I have never thought Richard Gere was that great of an actor, until this movie. This is a great character study of the real struggles a homeless person goes through. This is a very good movie, but not really one to watch for entertainment purposes. Overall, a very good, but very heavy and emotional movie that will affect you. I give this a B.

Greetings again from the darkness. Poverty, mental illness and homelessness collide in this film from writer/director Oren Moverman (Oscar nominated for The Messenger). About the third time I asked myself if something was ever going to "happen", it dawned on me that it was already happening. This is Moverman's illumination of how society treats the homeless, and his vehicle comes in the surprising form of Richard Gere.

We follow George (Gere, making good use of his familiar facial tics and mannerisms) around the city as he bounces from vacant apartment to hospital to churches to second hand clothing stores … and finally to one of the city's homeless shelters. It's at this point where George befriends the talkative and seemingly helpful Dixon, played by the great Ben Vereen.

One of the key points the film makes is how the homeless are basically invisible to the rest of society. The characters describe this as being a cartoon – meaning, they aren't even "real" people to the masses of NYC. Supposedly, Gere was in character on the streets and was passed by without anyone noticing. Vereen's character helps George get on track for re-establishing his identity. See, without any form of ID, there is no welfare, food stamps, etc (except, of course, voting – a topic for another time). The only real sub-plot involves George and his estranged daughter played by the always excellent Jena Malone. She excels in her scenes with Gere, and provides the most sincere and affecting emotion in the film.

It's a very odd movie, as there are numerous "quick hit" scenes that feature such fine actors as Steve Buscemi, Michael Kenneth Williams, Kyra Sedgwick, Geraldine Hughes, and Jeremy Strong. None are on screen for much time, but each help demonstrate the daily challenges faced by the homeless who are so dependent on the charity of others.

It takes a patient viewer to stick with Gere's character as he comes to grips with his situation, but the camera work shooting inside/out and outside/in (through windows, doors, etc) provides visual interest, as do the lively and real sounds and movements of the streets of NYC. It may not pack the punch of The Messenger, but it's further proof that Oren Moverman's insightful projects deserve attention.