Romantic comedies are generally over the top, especially when it comes to redemption. However, the Still Time review explores how soft and quiet moments in romance are ones that go far in crafting a good storyline. Also known as Era Ora, This Italian film is directed by Alessandro Aronadio and stars Barbara Ronchi, Edoardo Leo, Mario Sgueglia, Raz Degan, Andrea Purgatori, Francesca Cavallin and Massimo Wertmuller, alongside other cast members. It runs for 108 minutes and is written by Alessandro Aronadio and Renato Sannio.
-The Still Time Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
There is a very simple arc to a romantic comedy, the meet-cute, the initial resistance, begrudging friendship, romantic angst, the couple, the conflict and then, finally, the resolution. However, this film skips right to the couple section of the story and slowly moves through the conflict section throughout the film. It doesn’t try to be very preachy or very insightful about the things it’s talking about. Instead, it chooses to follow the character with grace and empathy as he makes bad decisions over and over again.
One of the best aspects of this film is the visual aspect and the production design. There are quite a few locations present in the film, but the protagonist’s house is perhaps the most indicative of time passing and change incoming. Moreover, the house was a great storyteller for when things were going well or not going well. Unlike other locations, this one betrays every emotion clearly, even at first glance. This kind of subtle storytelling is present throughout the sequences in this film.
The editing techniques are especially sharp because they convey the passage of time through simple camera techniques and practical editing tricks to make it seem like the transition from one year to another is seamless. While most people would expect some science-fiction element here, it is largely a metaphorical comment on the capitalistic society, and the fall of the conventional heterosexual relationship construct because of that.
While this writer tries to intellectualize the concepts present in the film, the crux is pretty simple. It is to find love even after time has done its work and eroded the strength of the love between two people. The dialogues are well written, the characters are established well, and each one of the supporting actors was given actual meat on the bones when it came to playing their respective roles. They didn’t exist to serve the main character. However, they rather circled around him as most people circle around in our lives.
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It is incredibly refreshing to see a romantic film or a film about losing the love that doesn’t involve over-the-top declarations and recognises their unrealistic nature. Above all, this film is practical and realistic; even though the premise itself is quite fantastical, the story is grounded in truth and realism. This film is a great example of magical realism, where elements of the film slot together in a place like magic but the plot still moves ahead in a story world where the current laws of reality apply.
The best part about magical realism is the real-time growth in the person and the character arc they go through as they make their way through the story. This story is almost an amorphous object that the characters navigate as real people in order to get to the end of it. In this film, the character was forced to g through certain odd things in life in order to come to terms with the way he has been treating himself and those around him.
Still Time Review Final Thoughts
This writer enjoyed this film just as anyone enjoys a good heartfelt romantic comedy. Reaching the vibes Set it Up has placed, this film does a good job of keeping elements of reality and magic in good balance while also telling a wonderful story about a man finding love in his life again. Overall, it does a great job of keeping audiences engaged while also giving them something interesting to chew on.
Funnily enough, there is almost no aspect of this film that seems to have popped up as odd or problematic. All of the character decisions were sound and just; they were made in good conscience, and only decided to hurt people when the situation called for it. This is a fun romantic comedy to enjoy with friends or just for some alone time with a tub of ice cream and some pillows.
Still Time is currently streaming on Netflix. What did you find best about this film? Let us know in the comments below.
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