Watching Our Time was a bit like eavesdropping on a love letter that’s slowly falling apart. It’s uncomfortable, intimate, and absolutely fascinating.
Plot Overview – A Love Triangle in the Open Air
Set against the striking, dust-swept plains of rural Mexico, the film follows Juan and Esther, a married couple raising their children on a cattle ranch. Their open marriage begins to fracture when Esther starts an affair with an American horse trainer. What seems like a philosophical agreement quickly devolves into an emotional quagmire. Our Time isn’t just about jealousy — it’s about the quiet, corrosive power of love when it’s stretched too thin.
Director’s Vision – Reygadas at His Most Exposed
Carlos Reygadas doesn’t just direct this film — he lives it. Literally. He plays Juan, his wife Natalia López plays Esther, and their children appear as themselves. That choice alone blurs every boundary between fiction and reality, elevating the voyeuristic quality of the film. Known for his daring, non-linear narratives (Silent Light, Post Tenebras Lux), Reygadas here crafts something quieter but far more piercing. Long takes and poetic silences become emotional battlegrounds.
Performances – When Acting Isn’t Acting
Natalia López is mesmerising. There’s an aching restraint in her portrayal of Esther that pulls you in without her ever raising her voice. Phil Burgers (yes, the comedian) surprises as the quiet interloper, a man caught between freedom and complication. And Reygadas? Well, he lets himself be both the observer and the wounded. It's unflinchingly honest — almost too honest at times.
Cinematography and Sound – Nature as a Witness
Shot in 35mm by Diego García, the visuals are simply breathtaking. The Mexican landscape is not just a backdrop — it’s a character, echoing the emotional tension. Crickets hum, wind rustles through the tall grass, and silence is used like punctuation. It’s immersive and hypnotic.
Themes & Symbolism – Masculinity, Ego, and the Cost of Truth
At its heart, Our Time is about control — how we try to contain love, freedom, even pain. It explores masculinity in crisis, the myth of modern "open" relationships, and whether full emotional honesty is ever truly possible. Juan’s poetic letters, which narrate much of the film, are both beautiful and suffocating. They expose a man who speaks well but listens poorly.
Audience Reactions: USA vs. UK
British audiences have largely praised the film’s meditative pace and artistic depth, particularly within film festival circuits and arthouse circles. In contrast, many American viewers found the film too slow, too indulgent — even voyeuristic. In the UK, critics admired Reygadas’ boldness and the raw family involvement, while across the pond, viewers were more divided on the ethics of blurring real-life relationships with fiction.
Factual Snapshot
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10 (as of 15 April 2025)
- Major Awards: Nominated for Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival
- Budget: Not publicly disclosed
- Premiere: 75th Venice International Film Festival
- Production Companies: NoDream Cinema, Snowglobe, Bord Cadre Films
Final Verdict
Our Time isn’t just a film — it’s a slow-burn psychological excavation. Not everyone will make it through its nearly three-hour runtime, but for those who do, it leaves a lasting mark. It’s bold, reflective, and heartbreakingly human. If you’re in the mood for something challenging, raw, and uncomfortably close to home, trust me — this is time well spent.
