Andy's Anachronisms -- Los Cronocrímenes(2007) aka Timecrimes

Andy's Anachronisms - Time Travel Movie Reviews

Los Cronocrímenes (2007)
aka Timecrimes

Directed by Nacho Vigalondo

The Basic Plot

A middle-aged man, Hector is relaxing in his yard watching the neighbourhood when he spies a young cyclist undressing in the woods nearby. When Hector goes to investigate he discovers she has been knocked unconcious. Before he can help her, he is attacked by a stranger whose face is obscured by a pink bandage. The assailant stabs Hector with a pair of scissors before chasing him through the village. Hector randomly seeks refuge in the lab of a scientist. With the assailant close by the scientest urges Hector to hide in what is a time machine. Hector emerges from the timemachine an hour or so in the past and thus begins his twisted journey.

The Analysis

The Spanish language film debuted on the festival circuit in 2007 and has receieved some critical acclaim and a number of positive reviews (See Below) for the tightness of the script and actor Karra Elejalde's performance as Hector. Director Vigalondo, who also wrote the script and stars as the scientist, blends a number of genres including horror, science fiction, and mystery to achieve this.

I have not had an opportunity to see this film yet, but look forward to seeing it in the near future. From what I have read about the film, it sounds like a very dark interpretation of Heinlein's By His Bootstraps.

Where to Find it

The film has been scheduled for a limited release in December of 2008 in North America which will likely be followed up quickly with a DVD release. Look here for more details as they become available.

United Artists has optioned the movie for a North American remake. Rumours in early 2008 was that Vigalondo would like to see a director such as David Cronenberg direct. No word on whether any directors have been approached or whether the movie will be a direct remake or borrow ideas from Vigalondo's script. Reports after Sundance in January of 2008 were that screenwriter Timothy J. Sexton (Children of Men) would pen an adaption of the movie.