The Time It Takes

This is a pretty nice series to watch. The concept of going back and forth slowly moving from less of today and more of the past into more of today and less of the past is a great one. The episodes were too short, they could have been a little bit longer saying more of the story, some characters were simply something to add instead of having more than 2 people in the show. The acting was not bad, the actors playing the main characters seemed to have some chemistry. All was good until the scenes from India, which were not at all believable: it's not that tidy, it's not that "not crowded", it's not that free for women to walk by themselves without being harmed.

I like the story telling style. It really takes time to forget. Maybe not. The director got it. Good acting, quick story telling. I bingewatched. You can find like in your life lots of things in this story so that it grabs you. Am I better without you or not?

The story is well told and the acting is very good. Good pace. I like that the episodes are about 13, 14 minutes long. This was you don't get any "it's got to be an hour long, do we have anything to fill the hour with." The development of one of the characters never fully explains why he is acting the way he is which is a weak point. But the female lead does a great job carrying the story. I binge watched it and felt it was a better than 7 star show.

Somebody told me the same about grief ... remember the person each day but slightly less each time. Eventually the memories fade, and the hurt and the loss with them. Nice idea, if only life were that simple?

Lina & Nico have a painful break-up and 'The Time It Takes' recounts moments in their 10 year relationship from Lina's point of view. The novelty about this Netflix miniseries is the deliberate present-past split in its 15-minute episodes with the past counted down one minute less each time. Present becomes more and more important than past ... and Lina moves on with her life. It's an enchanting way to tell a beautifully simple albeit quite sad story ... and with a twist at the end, of course!

Nadia De Santiago & Álvaro Cervantes are excellent in the leads, well supported by the rest of the cast and some thoughtful writing (De Santiago contributed to it) in what is quite a nice low-key "don't make a big fuss" sort of production. I liked the way the past would blur into the present but with a swift return at the end of each episode as Lina faces important life choices and puts the past behind her ... or does she?!?

Other reviews point out it would be good to shoot the series again but from Nico's point of view. Presumably the program makers have already considered this logical sequel? Recommended.

The story was sad, beautiful, but most importantly realistic. I loved the actors and how REAL their love felt. Doesn't need a season two, but would definitely watch. I bingewatched this and was worth it. I recommend!