Our Time Is Up (2004) User Reviews (11)

Dead pan humor with a yuk or two but no more.

[st-shot · 6/10 · 9 November 2009]

Our Time Is Up is a rapid fire dead pan comedy that eventually runs out of bullets in its brief running time. Successful, self important psychologist Dr. Stern leads an orderly life dispassionately dispensing paint by the numbers observations to clients of varying hang-ups. When health issues arise Stern does a complete one-eighty with his practice and methodology.

By means of syntax Time starts sharp and remains so with seamless dialog transitions between client sessions that are amusingly revealing in character development. The clients never get beyond the clichés they wear though and by second and third sessions are out of fashion as this film stumbles to its feel good ending, the irony all but beaten out of it.

Funny and revealing

[spf212 · 11 November 2004]

This films tells the story a psychologist who gets some life-changing news. Let's just say this drastically changes the way he deals with his patients--with surprising results. I saw this movie at the AFI Festival in Los Angeles and was not only moved but found myself laughing throughout. Kevin Pollack leads a large cast of talented actors, each who bring something fresh and different to the table. The writing is both clever and honest and I found the directing to be truly inspired. It's rare these days to find movies that not only entertain you but force you to re-evaluate your own life. This films achieves that, much in the way that ABOUT A BOY does. If all short films were this entertaining and professionally produced I think we'd see some of them getting released theatrically. Bravo.

Great short film

[travelswithpharmacy · 10/10 · 24 January 2006]

This film is very entertaining and manages to have a heart, as well. It's a comedy that has deeper meaning as well. It stars Kevin Pollak as a psychologist who finds a new way to deal with his patients after he receives some unexpected news. Our Time is Up is laugh-out-loud funny -- I saw it in a film festival, and there were a lot of laughs from the audience. Besides Mr. Pollak, the performances (from the actors playing the psychologist's patients and gardener) are great -- don't miss Hurley from Lost! He is a hoot. I have seen a LOT of short films in festivals, some of which can be great and some of which really aren't. This rises above the rest in terms of picture quality, performances, writing, et cetera. Definitely check it out if you have a chance.

A Real Winner

[cfederman · 10/10 · 27 February 2006]

Hands down one of the best shorts of the year! Through this film, Pearlstein, as a young director, exhibits an ability to create and direct superior work, at a high level, with an ensemble cast. The impressive writing and direction engage the audience from the beginning and leave you wanting more...in the form of a feature film.

With limited resources and financing, Pearlstein has put together a real winner and this should serve as a springboard to a lucrative career. As an avid moviegoer, I look forward to his next project and hope the Academy and the rest of the movie-loving public feel the same way.

Good luck on March 5th!

Humanistic tale reminding us to live life to its fullest

[darrendgc · 10/10 · 26 February 2006]

Visually appealing with a lean and tight story structure. It's a contemporary tale that engages with modern music and dialogue for our day. The film is subtle and charming with character portrayals that will leave you smiling. Kevin Pollack is superb as a psychiatrist who begins the movie cold to the reality of his patients incessant complaints and lack of progress. Upon news from his own personal doctor, Pollack's character becomes a warm, engaging and challenging psychiatrist who is a catalyst for several patient's personal improvement. For such a short film there is a surprisingly rewarding depth to each character's personal arc. Doctor Stern (Pollack) and each of his patients remind us that life is too short to have any regrets once "Our Time Is Up..."

A funny, intelligent and engaging short which packs more in its short length than entirely too many features I've watched in my life

[llltdesq · 10/10 · 29 December 2006]

This short is simply marvelous and was nominated for an Academy Award for Live-Action Short. THat it did not win is more a tribute to the incredible Six Shooter, which took the Oscar, than it is a negative assessment of this short. Since I want to discuss the short in specific detail, this is a spoiler warning:

Kevin Pollak, who is recognizable as a character actor, is perfect in the central role. He's the hub in a wheel, with the other characters circling him. For the short to be effective, you have to see dramatic change in his character (a psychiatrist) and Pollak makes his character essentially go through that marked and drastic alteration of behavior. The short starts out with a brief opening sequence of shots which establish the character's personality quickly and perfectly. There is then a series of rapid introductions of his patients and you can see Pollak's character react to each of his patients as they recite a litany of problems he's heard over and over, with little variation. His way of interacting with everyone places his character in sharp focus in minutes. Then comes the bombshell which changes everything.

In a short film, every second matters and time can be your greatest ally or an implacable foe. The director and editor make time their friend. Just as the early part of the short quickly and effectively establishes the mood, so too does the middle part also establish the change and just as economically. Essentially, we see the same scenes, but with a change in the behavior of the principal figure in turn leading to an entirely different outcome to the sequences. Quick visual cues make very clear the changes wrought by a single phone call. The whole thing is handled beautifully by all concerned. The ending is beautiful and the absolutely perfect way for things to wind up.

This short is available on a compilation DVD which includes all five of the Live-Action Short nominees for 2005, three of the five Animated Short nominees and two bonus animated shorts which were not nominees for the Oscar. This short and the whole compilation DVD are highly recommended.

All in due time

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 31 October 2017]

"Our Time Is Up" is an American English-language live action short film from 2004, so this one will have its 15th anniversary soon, which means "all in due time" is also accurate for the period between the release and the day I am writing this review. But if we judge by quality, I could have waited another 15 years. For writer and director Rob Pearlstein, it may still be his most successful work as it was nominated for an Academy Award, but it lost to Six Shooter. For the same reason, it is the most known work for several cast and crew members, except these who you have maybe have seen on Lost or Suits. This is the story of a psychologist leading a very slow life, but things change quickly when he finds out he is terminally ill and we find out with him. As a consequence his treatment methods change drastically and this is pretty much what the film is about, the before and after the diagnosis. It is a bit of comedy, a bit of drama, but not convincing in either area. I guess they were rather going for the comedy site, but honestly the way in which suddenly every patient is cured by these unorthodox measure is as ridiculous as it is repetitive eventually. I cannot agree with the Oscar nomination here from a pure quality standpoint and the fact that the unrealistic call that they mixed up the files didn't happen does not make it good enough, not even for all these other awards ceremonies where it received recognition. I give it a thumbs-down and suggest you watch something else instead.

Academy Award Nominee currently playing on iTunes

[shortfilmgal · 3 March 2006]

OUR TIME IS UP is a cleverly written comedy starring Kevin Pollak (USUAL SUSPECTS), Jorge Garcia (LOST) and a whole slew of solid actors. Writing is quick-witted. Each character is well-defined, unique and grows by the end of the picture. The pacing and editing are first-rate. Film has very high production value. I've seen this film at several film festivals and have never grown tired of it -- especially the woman who has a hard time with accepting that soap doesn't really need to be cleaned with other soap! Check it out for yourself on iTunes (currently in the top 5) or at a theater near -- it's playing in the Shorts International / Magnolia Pictures Oscar Shorts program as a nominee.

Not A Second Wasted

[tgregg-1 · 10/10 · 13 May 2006]

This is a jewel of a short film, featuring always-brilliant Kevin Pollack. He plays a self-important psychiatrist who's found professional nirvana with a flock of dutiful patients suffering from varying psychoses, none of which he makes must of an effort to address. We meet each of his patients in a cleverly created montage, which features the good doctor's tricks to keep them coming back for more. His world is then rocked when he receives a phone call informing him he has just six weeks to live. It's amazing what a little vulnerability--and brutal honesty--can do to change people's lives. This is a first-rate short film, nominated for an Academy Award. The supporting cast shines and makes perfect use of every second on camera. You'll be wishing for more when "Our Time Is Up".

A wonderful little film--too bad it didn't win the Oscar

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 10 April 2008]

This film was nominated for the 2005 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. It ultimately lost to SIX SHOOTER--a more dramatic but far less enjoyable film.

Kevin Pollak stars as a rather dispassionate psychotherapist. As you see him sit and listen to his patients, you can see that it's all a bit "canned" as he's obviously been doing therapy for years. Much of it consists of reframing (i.e., restating things) and many times he asks the patients why they think a certain way (something a real therapist, by the way, rarely would do). It's obvious that the love for helping others has long vanished and he's also very detached from those he meets outside the office.

However, one day out of the blue, he receives word that the CAT scan results were bad and he only has a short time to live. As if by magic, the therapist is transformed--dispensing off the cuff advice, sarcasm and cutting straight to the heart of problems. Although some of his patients resent this new abruptness, in the end, it turns out that this new style works and works far better than his old passive approach! Again and again, his long-term patients being cured and Pollak has finally gotten back in touch with who he should have been. And, in a way, for the first time in years Pollack's character is truly alive.

A funny little gem of a film that also asks the deeper philosophical questions. So, not only is it very funny, but it says a lot about how we live our lives and our own sense of mortality. A rare gem.

Awesome, loved it!!!!!

[heathernlittle · 10/10 · 11 March 2006]

This short film is completely hilarious! I enjoyed the blunt honesty the doctor takes. I can't decide when I laughed harder.... the butt fondler or when the doctor was discussing apes taking over the world, smoking dope! I love both Jorge Garcia and Kevin Pollack. Great choices in the cast.

I think the content would make a fantastic film. I was so disappointed it did not win the Oscar, in my eyes it was flawless. I hope to see it on the big screen.

Rob Pearlstein is very talented. I actually met him in Cabo with some friends... I'm glad I had the opportunity.