Race Against Time(2021)

As the curtain rises on Ava DuVernay’s Race Against Time, the audience is instantly thrust into a dizzying whirlwind of urgency and existential dread, a testament to DuVernay’s expertise in crafting compelling narrative arcs that don’t just crawl under the skin—they burrow. Anchored by Keanu Reeves as Dr. Elias Myles, a brilliant yet beleaguered scientist, the film dives into the chaotic world on the brink of environmental collapse, where Myles’ groundbreaking technology could be the only lifeline.

Keanu Reeves delivers one of his most nuanced performances to date, portraying a man torn between his dogged pursuit of scientific truth and the spiraling despair he feels about the world’s flagging hope. A scene that stands out is when Dr. Myles, in a fit of frustration, destroys his own lab. The camera lingers on Reeves’ face, capturing every nuance of desolation and determination—a silent scream against the relentless ticking of the clock. Meanwhile, Viola Davis plays the sceptical yet curious journalist, Leah Turner, whose evolving relationship with Myles adds a personal stake to the existential crisis, her oscillation between cynicism and hope mirroring our own.

From a cinematic standpoint, DuVernay’s use of stark, contrasting lighting helps underscore the dichotomy of the impending doom and the glimmer of hope. Scenes set in the dystopian outdoors are washed in a harsh, unyielding white light, while the interiors have a warm, amber hue, creating a visual metaphor for sanctuary against the harsh realities outside. These choices amplify the tension, particularly during the film’s climax—a frenetic race to a secure facility to implement the technology during a devastating storm, captured with sweeping, frantic camera movements that practically hurl the audience along for the ride.

However, the film is not without its flaws. At times, the dialogue tends toward the didactic, with characters occasionally sounding more like mouthpieces for scientific exposition than real people. This is particularly evident in some of Robert Downey Jr.’s scenes as the corporate antagonist, whose motives sometimes blur into cartoonish villainy, undercutting the film’s generally authentic ethical quandaries.

Race Against Time is a film that pulsates with urgency and intellectual vigor. Ava DuVernay has crafted a landscape that is both a harrowing mirror of our potential future and a gripping cinematic journey. Despite its occasional lapses into over-explication, the movie succeeds in weaving a compelling narrative with memorable performances and innovative cinematography, laying down a gauntlet for future films in the genre.