Time Share is writer and director Sebastian Hoffman's second feature film (his first; Halley 2012), a dark comedy/mystery/thriller available now on Netflix.
"Do it for him" Gloria says, holding onto Andres in the darkness of their home. He's been weeping. We later find out that Gloria and Andres lost their son.
5 Years Later
Introducing: The Alvarez family. Pedro, Eva and their son Pedrito are newcomers at the Everfield International Time Share. Soon, they are interrupted by another family, the Bonillas. Abel, the father of the Bonillo family, insists that they too booked the time share and also possess a key, just like Pedro. Moises, an Everfield manager, offers Pedro a deal - one month free later if he chooses to accept the offer and stay with the Bonillo family, who he finds to be primitive and dumb. He agrees to stay with them and resolves that he doesn't need to spend much time in the villa anyway.
From the beginning, it appears that Pedro is the only one having a difficult time adjusting - unable to relax and enjoy the resort, while his wife and son unwind and make friends with the Bonillo family members. Pedro is so focused on making his family vacation perfect and avoiding the Bonilla's that he never loosens up. But his resistance might pay off.
Gloria and her husband Andres who are both employees of Everfield, are making their way up in the timeshare business. Gloria is preparing to pitch a sale to the Alvarez family, which is going to be her big break. Her husband on the other hand is still emotionally caught up in the death of their son.
In one scene, an Everfield manager is coaching Everfield Employees on how to use personal traumatic stories as a way to win over buyers. He even encourages Gloria to conjure up her feelings over her deceased son and use them as an asset to her sales pitch. Andres is hurt by this and discovers more about the secrets of Everfield on his own. He learns that here, "you either become waste, or you are spared." Gloria is already too far gone.
As the story progresses, Pedro becomes more frustrated by how close his wife and son are becoming to the Bonillos. It all seems innocent, but to Pedro, something nefarious is going on - the timeshare and the Bonillos are trying to take his family away from him. He is the only one who can see this and he must protect them.
In Time Share, our characters are divided by two beliefs. Pedro and Andres who are devoted to their families - and their wives who are driven by the promise of "paradise". A sort of jovial sounding score adds to the absurdity of the mood, reminding me of "The Lobster". A gorgeous and tropical setting, dense with lush green foliage is presented in beautiful, still wide shots coloured by glowing neon blues and reds - blue being the most prominent, while red brews ominously in the foreground. Whether it's a hellish reflection on the palm trees or a scarlet light cast on the looming pyramid itself, the colour red seems to represent the ill-intentioned Everfield; Ever-present and always watching.
Although there is a story here and it is interesting, there weren't too many moments that made me feel much of anything. While Pedro's character, who slowly deteriorates into insane paranoia over losing his family is somewhat comical, it isn't enough to carry the weight of this packed film. And to be honest, I just feel bad for him. He does something really nice for his family, but doesn't seem to get much appreciation for it.
Whether the choice is REAL family, or the Everfield family, there is "Nothing worse than being alone in this world". The message is clear, but the film itself is flat and leaves me feeling disconnected. The colours and shots are much more vibrant and captivating than its characters, but it isn't enough so that I would watch this one again. I would like to see what Sebastian Hoffman comes up with next time, because it's clear he is an artist with a unique vision.
"Do it for him" Gloria says, holding onto Andres in the darkness of their home. He's been weeping. We later find out that Gloria and Andres lost their son.
5 Years Later
Introducing: The Alvarez family. Pedro, Eva and their son Pedrito are newcomers at the Everfield International Time Share. Soon, they are interrupted by another family, the Bonillas. Abel, the father of the Bonillo family, insists that they too booked the time share and also possess a key, just like Pedro. Moises, an Everfield manager, offers Pedro a deal - one month free later if he chooses to accept the offer and stay with the Bonillo family, who he finds to be primitive and dumb. He agrees to stay with them and resolves that he doesn't need to spend much time in the villa anyway.
From the beginning, it appears that Pedro is the only one having a difficult time adjusting - unable to relax and enjoy the resort, while his wife and son unwind and make friends with the Bonillo family members. Pedro is so focused on making his family vacation perfect and avoiding the Bonilla's that he never loosens up. But his resistance might pay off.
Gloria and her husband Andres who are both employees of Everfield, are making their way up in the timeshare business. Gloria is preparing to pitch a sale to the Alvarez family, which is going to be her big break. Her husband on the other hand is still emotionally caught up in the death of their son.
In one scene, an Everfield manager is coaching Everfield Employees on how to use personal traumatic stories as a way to win over buyers. He even encourages Gloria to conjure up her feelings over her deceased son and use them as an asset to her sales pitch. Andres is hurt by this and discovers more about the secrets of Everfield on his own. He learns that here, "you either become waste, or you are spared." Gloria is already too far gone.
As the story progresses, Pedro becomes more frustrated by how close his wife and son are becoming to the Bonillos. It all seems innocent, but to Pedro, something nefarious is going on - the timeshare and the Bonillos are trying to take his family away from him. He is the only one who can see this and he must protect them.
In Time Share, our characters are divided by two beliefs. Pedro and Andres who are devoted to their families - and their wives who are driven by the promise of "paradise". A sort of jovial sounding score adds to the absurdity of the mood, reminding me of "The Lobster". A gorgeous and tropical setting, dense with lush green foliage is presented in beautiful, still wide shots coloured by glowing neon blues and reds - blue being the most prominent, while red brews ominously in the foreground. Whether it's a hellish reflection on the palm trees or a scarlet light cast on the looming pyramid itself, the colour red seems to represent the ill-intentioned Everfield; Ever-present and always watching.
Although there is a story here and it is interesting, there weren't too many moments that made me feel much of anything. While Pedro's character, who slowly deteriorates into insane paranoia over losing his family is somewhat comical, it isn't enough to carry the weight of this packed film. And to be honest, I just feel bad for him. He does something really nice for his family, but doesn't seem to get much appreciation for it.
Whether the choice is REAL family, or the Everfield family, there is "Nothing worse than being alone in this world". The message is clear, but the film itself is flat and leaves me feeling disconnected. The colours and shots are much more vibrant and captivating than its characters, but it isn't enough so that I would watch this one again. I would like to see what Sebastian Hoffman comes up with next time, because it's clear he is an artist with a unique vision.
