Time Out of Mind Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Richard Gere gets really good at being invisible in NYC while trying to convince his daughter he’s not *that* invisible, with help from a very chatty friend who might not be real.

🍿 Time Out of Mind: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Life Adrift

George, a man seemingly down on his luck, is forced out of a temporary dwelling in New York City. Without a place to stay or clear resources, he begins wandering the city streets. He struggles to find basic necessities like food, warmth, and shelter, navigating public spaces and attempting to seek help from various sources. His disorientation and lack of identification make accessing assistance challenging.

Seeking Shelter and System Navigation

Facing the harsh realities of homelessness, George seeks refuge at Bellevue Hospital’s intake center, a gateway to the city’s shelter system. This involves navigating bureaucratic processes and answering personal questions, highlighting the difficulties in formalizing one’s situation without documentation. He eventually finds a place in a men’s shelter, introducing him to a new environment and the routines of institutional living. Life within the shelter presents its own set of challenges and dynamics among residents.

A Friend in Dixon

Within the shelter or on the streets, George develops a friendship with Dixon, a fellow homeless man. Dixon is more vocal and seemingly more experienced in navigating street life and the system. Their interactions provide George with some guidance and companionship in his isolated existence. Dixon’s perspective offers a contrast to George’s more withdrawn and confused demeanor.

Strained Relationship with Maggie

Throughout his journey, George harbors a desire to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Maggie. He attempts to see her or speak with her, often finding her at the bar where she works. Their encounters reveal a strained and difficult history, with Maggie showing reluctance and pain regarding their relationship. George’s past actions and current state pose significant barriers to reconciliation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George (Richard Gere): A homeless man navigating life on the streets while attempting to mend his relationship with his estranged daughter.
• Dixon (Ben Vereen): A talkative and seasoned homeless man who befriends George and offers guidance.
• Maggie (Jena Malone): George’s estranged daughter who struggles with their difficult past but occasionally helps him.
• Art (Steve Buscemi): The building manager who forcefully evicts George from a vacant apartment, initiating his full homelessness.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dixon: “I don’t believe in gay marriage. Or even straight marriage either. A man should be free to have fun. Marriage is… is… isn’t a god given gift, it’s a life sentence.” – Dixon shares his cynical view on marriage with George while they are navigating life on the streets.
• George: “I’m homeless. I’m nobody. I don’t exist.” – George reflects on his state of being and how he feels invisible to the rest of society.
• Maggie: “‘Cause…normally, it’s…you know, the parents takes care of the kid. Not really the other way around.” – Maggie expresses her frustration to George about the reversal of their roles and her father’s inability to care for himself.
• George: “I’m fucked up.” – George candidly admits his mental and emotional state, acknowledging his difficulties.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2 million
• Domestic Gross: $166,775
• Worldwide Gross: $314,082

💥 Time Out of Mind Reviews

Personal Review

Watching this movie felt less like watching a story and more like experiencing a state of being. I was struck by how isolating George’s world felt, even in the middle of bustling New York City. The camera work, often keeping him at a distance or shooting through glass, really hammered home that feeling of being unseen. There’s a scene where he’s just sitting, and the city noise is overwhelming – it made me think about how constant chaos must feel when you have nowhere quiet to go. And those moments with his daughter, Maggie, were just heartbreaking; you could feel the weight of years of hurt in their silences more than their words. It’s definitely not a ‘feel-good’ movie, but it left me thinking about empathy and what it truly means to be invisible to the world.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of realistic character studies and social issue dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in films about homelessness and urban life”
  • “Audiences who appreciate slow, observational filmmaking”
  • “Fans of Richard Gere or Ben Vereen interested in their dramatic work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of homelessness and its harsh realities”
  • “Themes of mental illness and disorientation”
  • “Portrayal of alcohol abuse”
  • “Slow and deliberate pacing”
  • “Grim and potentially depressing subject matter”

Professional Reviews

• Film Critic Review 1: “An intimate, albeit slow, portrayal of homelessness that immerses you in the main character’s bewildering reality. Richard Gere delivers a committed performance, though some moments strain credulity. The film’s visual style, often shooting through windows, adds a layer of detachment that mirrors the subject matter. It’s a thought-provoking, if sometimes frustrating, experience.
• Film Critic Review 2: “Oren Moverman presents a raw, observational look at life on the streets. While deliberately aimless and occasionally slow-paced, the film’s strength lies in its realism and Ben Vereen’s standout supporting role. Gere’s transformation is notable, effectively conveying a man lost within himself and ignored by the world around him. A challenging but ultimately rewarding watch.
• Film Critic Review 3: “Despite a strong premise and capable cast, ‘Time Out of Mind’ struggles to engage. The narrative feels thin and repetitive, and the experimental filming techniques can be more distracting than insightful. While it aims for authenticity, it often results in boredom, making its runtime feel significantly longer than it is. A noble effort, but not entirely successful.
• Film Critic Review 4: “This film is not easy and requires patience, but it offers a profoundly moving look at human dignity and the struggle for connection amidst societal indifference. Gere’s performance is understated and powerful, complemented beautifully by Jena Malone’s emotional honesty in her limited scenes. It forces you to confront uncomfortable truths without being preachy.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers praised Richard Gere’s brave and realistic portrayal of a homeless man.: The film’s depiction of homelessness felt authentic, focusing on the day-to-day struggle and bureaucracy rather than melodrama.

The distinct cinematography, often showing the protagonist through windows or from a distance, was frequently commented on for its impact.: The movie effectively conveyed the sense of being ‘invisible’ and disconnected from society.

Some found the slow pace and lack of traditional plot challenging but ultimately meaningful.: The film sparked discussions about social issues and empathy towards the homeless population.

Overall Consensus: Opinion is divided; while many praise its realistic portrayal of homelessness, Gere’s performance, and unique visual style, others found the slow pace and lack of conventional narrative made it difficult to watch and disengaging.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During filming on the streets of New York, many people mistook Richard Gere, who was in costume, for a real homeless man and did not recognize him, demonstrating the film’s theme of invisibility. One French tourist famously gave him leftover pizza.”

🖥️ How to Watch Time Out of Mind?

Finding ‘Time Out of Mind’ may require checking various platforms. As a drama film, it is typically available for rent or purchase on major digital storefronts such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Availability on subscription streaming services can change, so it’s recommended to check current listings on popular platforms or through movie aggregate sites that show where films are currently streaming or available for purchase/rent.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Time Out of Mind, you might like these similar films:

• The Messenger (2009): Directed by the same filmmaker, Oren Moverman, and also features a focus on individuals dealing with trauma and navigating complex social systems.
• The Fisher King (1991): Explores themes of homelessness, mental illness, and finding connection in New York City, albeit with fantastical elements.
• I, Daniel Blake (2016): A British film that similarly portrays the struggles of a man navigating a confusing and often indifferent welfare system after falling on hard times.
• Nomadland (2020): Focuses on individuals living on the fringes of society, depicting a transient lifestyle and the human need for dignity and connection, captured with a realistic, observational style.
• Streetwise (1984): A raw and powerful documentary offering a gritty, non-judgmental look at the lives of homeless teenagers in Seattle, sharing a similar focus on societal outcasts.

🛒 Time Out of Mind Related Products

• Invisible: Homelessness in America: A compelling book featuring powerful photographs and stories of individuals experiencing homelessness across the United States, offering a deeper understanding of the issues explored in the film.
• Arbitrage (Blu-ray/DVD): A critically acclaimed thriller starring Richard Gere as a desperate hedge fund magnate. Showcases Gere in a vastly different, yet equally complex, dramatic role.
• The Messenger (DVD): Another thought-provoking film directed and written by Oren Moverman, exploring the lives of soldiers whose job it is to notify families of casualties. Features Moverman’s distinct directorial style.
• New York City Photography Book (Documentary Style): A photography collection capturing the candid, less-seen moments of daily life on the streets of New York City, reflecting the film’s authentic urban setting and observational feel.

🎧 Soundtrack

Time Out of Mind features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Lullaby for the Forgotten” – performed by Natalia Paruz (as Natalia Saw Lady Paruz)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Richard Gere On Portraying Homeless In ‘Time Out of Mind’ | TODAY

Ever wonder what it was like for Richard Gere to walk the streets anonymously while filming ‘Time Out of Mind’? Hearing him talk about how eye-opening that experience was really makes you think about the film’s powerful message even more.

✨ Rate