"In Time" a metaphor
Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried star in a new Science Fiction/fantasy genre movie entitled "In Time". In the flick, one lives only til the age of 25 and then remains frozen with that age's look. Instead of using money to buy things, you use "time" to buy what you need, and the cost fluctuates with the market. Those things we need cost more than those things we want when the economy goes belly up. People live in different time zones as well and there is a definite class division in place.
How does this movie show us another way of looking at the world? Cleverly. Once people turn 25, they are given another year to live in the poorer time zones. They use time to barter everything, including food, rent and loan payments to time banks. Looking at the way we all operate in the world through this reference, instead of money, is just another way of realizing the truth of class warfare and those things for which the 99% are Occupying Wall Street.
Time is etched on the skin of our protagonists in order for them to know how much time is left for them, often creating great anguish or worry over loss of ones bank of time. The rich need not worry as they often can achieve immortality, what at what cost? Youth is revered but if you never die, your life may not exactly be the best of all worlds. It is akin to winning a lottery, getting tons of money, but having no happiness, only worry over losing said cache.
The symbolism and rich metaphoric genius of the films pretense could be studied to great critical effect. There is much to assimilate and yet, it is such a simple assimilation at the same time. Reminiscent of the Matrix movies and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or even Gattaca, this movie will have you thinking and relating to its theme.
Since "time is money" and "time is on our hands" and time is a form of energy exchange: we give our time to work and exchange it for pay then give it to our grocer for food, pay for gas, a cup of joe, and other things, the metaphors ring out and make complete sense.
Worthy of your "time" and energy exchange!