Is This Time Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2023)

🎬 The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

This Time, a standout production of 2023, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Drama landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Closeted sixteen-year-old Grace Walker is trapped in her very suburban, Christian existence. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Closeted sixteen-year-old Grace Walker is trapped in her very suburban, Christian existence. When news of her estranged biological father’s death, along with his belongings, make it to her stepfather’s funeral home, she discovers drawings, a burned music CD of his favorite songs, and a letter from his close friend Liza Minnelli. On the eve of her mother and stepfather sending her off to conversion therapy, she steals the funeral home’s hearse setting out on a road trip to deliver her father’s ashes to Liza—where she believes her father wanted them to go. Unbeknownst to Grace, in the back of the hearse is passed out, alcoholic, failed father figure, Vietnam vet, sixty-six year old Red—who works at the funeral home. Not having a driver’s license, Grace blackmails Red into driving her to LA. What Grace doesn’t know is that Red has struck a side deal with her stepfather and is planning on delivering her to the conversion therapy center."

🎭 Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Audiences are treated to a masterclass in acting by Anwen O'Driscoll, whose portrayal of the protagonist is imbued with a depth and vulnerability that is rare in contemporary Drama. The chemistry with the supporting players is palpable, creating a gravity that pulls the viewer into the screen.

The direction by Robert Vaughn is marked by a bold and uncompromising hand. Technically, the film is a tour de force. The cinematography makes exceptional use of light and shadow, creating a visual language that mirrors the character's internal journey. The soundscape is equally impressive, with a score that is both haunting and celebratory, perfectly aligned with the thematic progression of the plot. The pacing, over its 102 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

🤔 Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is This Time truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, then this is a mandatory viewing experience—a film that will haunt your thoughts long after you leave the theater.

The film's ability to transcend its genre labels is why it has earned its 8/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

⚖️ Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, This Time explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2023 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Robert Vaughn respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

🏆 Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, This Time is a rare gem that rewards the audience's attention with a profound and lasting impact. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Anwen O'Driscoll or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, This Time is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.