As an avid film-goer, I've never really been interested in being spoon-fed a particular line by a filmmaker, so the opportunity to experience number of perspectives and 'lines' through Mike Figgis's brilliant use of a quadruple split-screen in Time Code was more than just enticing - I was totally up for it!

I admit at this point that I was already a big fan of Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas, The Browning Version) and couldn't wait to see what his stellar ensemble of actors, including Saffron Burrows, Laurie Metcalf, Stellen Skarsgard and Holly Hunter would come up with given their brief.

Well, what can I say - Timecode was fucking great, one of the most interesting and absorbing films I've seen in years. Shot in only three takes, Timecode charts the goings on of a group of LA types, set against the backdrop of an affair, a murder and a Hollywood production office.

The shoot itself was spontaneous. Actors had the opportunity to improvise their performances for 93 minutes. The structure was outlined by Figgis and they went from there. The film was shot in real time in one day, using hand-held digital video cameras in sequence, with no editing. This was also a film without a script, but with maps and charts instead.

Four stories are told simultaneously, each unfolding in real-time, each effecting one another as in real life. The acting, though improvised, was tightly choreographed and without exception, outstanding - I've always been more attracted to naturalism in actors anyway and the stuff onscreen was very honest. In a film full of acting highlights, Julian Sands rent-a-masseuse Quentin was hilarious (great ear massaging techniques), as was Stellan Skarsgard, as the addicted, addictive Alex, star director and womaniser of the show. Also worthy of special mention is Jeanne Triplehorn, dead sexy as the obsessive, white-suited scorned lover. She almost wiped her on screen partner Salma Hayek (whom I still don't get as an actress), off the screen.

Figgis enabled us, the viewer, to better follow what was going on by tweaking the sound on the various stories depending which story test audiences had most responded to. And anyone who's ever had to suffer ridiculous angst-ridden film pitches by pretentious film students will ADORE Ana and Joey-Z's over-the-top ode to art pitch. Lenin's in the House dig it dig it. Yeah, top stuff.

Time Code is original in its presentation and an insightful depiction of LA lifestyles of the rich and famous wannabes. Timecode is fabulous viewing - screamingly funny in places whilst blowing your mind as you watch the tightly woven storyline unravel out of control and quadruple-style before your very eyes.

Do yourself a favour - go see it.

- Neriman Kemal

TIME CODE is currently screening in Dendy Cinemas around Australia