Out of Time

Denzel Washington, Sanaa Lathan, Dean Cain, Eva Mendes. A corrupt Florida sheriff tries to stay one step ahead of his own detectives when his mistress is found dead amidst stolen money and drugs-and all the evidence points to him. 2003/color/105 min/PG-13/widescreen.

Partly inspired by 1948's IThe Big Clock/I and its nominal 1987 remake INo Way Out/I, the Denzel Washington thriller IOut of Time/I is quite enjoyable if you ignore its implausible plotting. Like those earlier films, this reunion of Washington and his IDevil in a Blue Dress/I director Carl Franklin is about a man--in this case the police chief (Washington) of sleepy Banyan Key, Florida--who falls into a trap set by others, sinks into legal quicksand of his own making, and must race the clock to extricate himself from a series of incriminating setbacks. The Florida setting adds welcome character to the potboiler plot, and Washington's screen-cred makes it easy to overlook the absurdities of rookie writer David Collard's screenplay. Eva Mendes is sharp and sensible as Washington's estranged wife (do you think they'll reconcile for a happy ending?), and the talented John Billingsley--whose portrayal of "Dr. Phlox" on TV's IEnterprise/I is vastly underrated--is a constant delight as Washington's medical examiner, beer buddy and wily co-conspirator. It's hardly a classic, but IOut of Time/I goes well with a big tub of popcorn. I--Jeff Shannon/I