Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Visually appealing but pretentious film tries too hard.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Color of Time
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In a series of vignettes directed by his New York University students, actor James Franco brings to life the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet C.K. Williams in THE COLOR OF TIME. The audience sees Williams as a boy, a teen, and finally an adult. Poetic narration attempts to show how Williams' varied experiences shaped his views on life -- and how that works into his art.
Is It Any Good?
Points to The Color of Time's directors for looking to Williams' poetry as source material; but although the film is a gorgeous visual buffet, there's not much there there. The non-sequential vignettes jump back and forth through different periods of the poet's life and are filled with images that seem significant (or try to be) -- a young boy and girl holding hands, a white horse, a meaningful look from an attractive stranger at a party -- and are wrapped in narration that sounds important but doesn't leave the audience with much to like, or love. Bottom line? The film tries too hard, and in the end, it's a pretentious exercise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Color of Time's relationship to poetry. Does the movie seem like a visual attempt at poetry? How so? How does this approach differ from more conventional, narrative films?
Do you think this movie would have gotten made/distributed if Franco hadn't been involved? Does his participation impact how you perceive the film -- or your expectations for it?
What did you learn about poet C.K. Williams from the film?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 12, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : January 27, 2015
- Cast : James Franco , Mila Kunis , Zach Braff , Jessica Chastain
- Director : James Franco
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Starz Media
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sexuality, nudity, language and drug use
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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