Out of Time

Starring: Denzel Washington, Sanaa Lathan

RS: 3of 4 Stars

2003 Drama

It's a kick to watch Denzel Wash-ington do a movie just for the hot, sexy fun of it. He plays Matt Lee Whitlock, the think-with-his-dick police chief of a sleepy Florida Key that wakes up after a double homicide. Matt's soon-to-be ex-wife, Alex (Eva Mendes), is the cop in charge of the case. And since Ann Merai (Sanaa Lathan) and her husband (Dean Cain) are the victims, that would make Matt the prime suspect, since he's been screwing Ann on the side. Luckily, no one knows that yet. Matt must race with the clock to prove his innocence. Director Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress) turns on the tension, especially during a scene on a hotel balcony. Sure, Dave Collard's script strains belief. But watching Washington steam up the screen with Mendes and Lathan should keep you happily distracted.

PETER TRAVERS
(October 3, 2003)