Counter Clockwise is a Mind Bender: A Film Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by Artsploitation Films.

Director: George Moïse.

Writers: Michael Kopelow, Walter Moise and George Moïse.

Counter Clockwise is a sci-fi film, that is set to teleport to DVD stores, this December. From director George Moïse, Counter Clockwise centrally stars and was written by Michael Kopelow. Kopelow plays Ethan, a man who has created a time travel device. And, Ethan is a man trapped by fate. Counter Clockwise plays out as a mysterious thriller. He is tasked with saving his wife, from a ruthless corporatist. Settings are re-used to keep costs down, in this indie thriller. As well, events get a bit confusing as Ethan enters the time machine for the third and fourth times. The protagonist has at least two duplicates, in one scene. Still, Counter Clockwise is an enjoyable time thanks to writers: Michael Kopelow, Walter and George Moïse.

Ethan is at the center of the action. After a strange shot of the characters, headless, Ethan places the one-eyed dog Charlie into the time machine. He comes back, in all of his furry glory, five hours later. With the success of the transporter, Ethan gives the machine a shot and he emerges six months in the future. Six months from the original timeline, Ethan's wife and sister have both been killed and Ethan is the main culprit. From here, the film plays out as a mystery, with Ethan trying to find the real killer. There are over a dozen minor characters to meet before Ethan finally meets the villain (most of them are very strange).

Which Ethan is in the present? Who knows?

The film utilizes at least two main genres, there is at least one other. This viewer noticed the mysterious and thrilling elements, centrally. Sci-fi elements influence the story, but they will not be talked about here. As a mystery, it is interesting to see Ethan confronted with a future, in which his wife has been murdered. There are a few clues to her killer, mostly provided by an alternate Ethan, in another timeline. Confused yet? Ethan pieces together her murderer, while overhearing dialogue or interacting with a past self. The film is also a thriller. The quick pacing of the film keeps the story moving ahead. There are also action elements and lots of conflict. Ethan is often on the run from a couple of homosexual thugs. The two thugs have very different motivations, one is sexual and the other is more money focused. This blend of the mystery and the thriller is a good mix, which this viewer enjoyed.

The film is very indie and low budget in nature as seen in the settings. Thankfully, there is a lot of exterior shooting, which mostly focus on Ethan, running from someone or someones. However, the interiors re-use a storage locker or studio, again and again. Sometimes, just the concrete walls are used. Then, this setting is re-utilized after being covered in newspapers or plastic sheeting. Possibly another setting, a small room, is also re-used in an interrogation scene and as Ceil's (Alice Rietveld) apartment. As an aspiring filmmaker, it is interesting to see how the filmmakers have kept costs down, by re-dressing at least two primary sets, or possibly just one five separate times.

The main critique of the film is its timeline; it is very confusing. Viewers will need to draw a map, to figure out where Ethan is in the timeline. Sometimes, he is months in the future and sometimes only a few days or hours ahead. As it is, Ethan is constantly interacting, interfering and helping a future or past self. Even after two viewings, this watcher became confused after the third jump. An intertitle or two will keep events slightly grounded and centered. But, all of the time travelling results in an inevitable, tragic outcome. These writers do not believe in self-determination, at least as far as the story goes.

Counter Clockwise is an ingenious time travelling feature. It is interesting to see Ethan trying to help himself prevent the major plot point of his wife's death. Kopelow plays Ethan with fervour. He is continuously on the run from someone. Also, very much a mystery, it is compelling to see events come to a head in the final few scenes. Ethan cannot interfere with fate, or can he? He is still teleporting late into the picture. But, events end inconclusively, which may leave a sour taste in the mouths of a few viewers. Complex in the writing department, this reviewer challenges readers to make sense of this time-jumping story.

Overall: 7.25 out of 10.

A trailer for the film is available here, on 28DLA: A Counter Clockwise Trailer

More details, on the film, are at Artsploitation Films: Counter Clockwise Release Details

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