Used and Borrowed Time

The film does a brilliant job of bringing to light the hypocrisy and blatant racism that plagued Alabama in the 1960's, while touching on how racism was/is not exclusively between whites and blacks but rather transcending the color of peoples skin as well as their religion, the way in which the main character is transported to/from the past underscores the inescapable fact the struggle remains very real to this day.

"Used and Borrowed Timed," a film written and directed by Sophia Romma, is not a short film to say the least; rather it is a striking, complex portrayal of racism that plagues America. The film divulges its audience into two drastically different time periods of Alabama, that is, the segregated 60s, and that of the present day. The main character, Ava Gold, relives her past through transcendent visions. As she does, she desperately attempts to reconcile with her past and to alter the horrific moments of her life. However, her attempts prove futile as all seems to be predestined. At first glance one might have thought this film was supposed to illustrate the difference between two time periods, but what makes Sophia's film a masterpiece is that it does just the opposite. Her film is monumental as it sheds light on the past and how bigotry remains a constant force in the present.

The sponsoring producer of this singular cinematic work is a council of the Avant-Garde which is strangely appropriate for a film that borrows heavily from both Fellini and Tarantino. The former because every frame is literally decorated with visual madness and the latter because the dialogue is designed to shock audiences out of their chairs with imagery that runs amok and taste that frequently visits the gutter of modern America.

If you are still with me, I can report that the plot is really only a canvas for the artist to apply her colorful brushstrokes of character and setting. We have an eclectic musical combo as a recurring element placed respectfully front and center in the mix while the action swirls about them like some mad tea party in the woods.

I gave this tour-de-force a rating of "6" because, after the first episode, I needed to take a mental break from the mash-up shenanigans of societal pressures foisted upon my brain. When I am ready for more in-your-face schooling, then I may return but, be fore-warned, binge watching is highly discouraged.

The movie "Used and Borrowed Time", unmasks the core of the Alabama mindset of the 60's and depicts the key issues of that society. The writer and director opened up the Pandora box of fears, unleashing desire, and the basic need of being loved. The abundant dialogue enriched the soul of all of the characters, expressing their complexity of beliefs and the intricacies of their life choices. Although it is a long film, it is only with a keen understanding of the timeline of the events as lived by the main character, Eva, can we deeply feel that her open wounds must be torn open again to accept and come to terms with her fate. The actors are amazing, exhibiting a love-hate relationship toward their own characters. It is obvious that it is painful to revisit the historical plagues of America, and to discuss these topics today. The director served as the voice for those who are afraid to speak about these terrifying scenarios even to this day. I feel that the director has done an excellent job of portraying a slice of truth from the past.

A flawless movie with a deep heart touching story.

Great casting, excellent acting, and over the top directing.

This is a great mix, and the artistic style makes the film memorable.

Reminds me of Federico Fellini movies.