Film Review: Time
© Amazon Studios
This story of an African-American woman in Louisiana and her two-decades long fight for her husband’s release from prison could be off-puttingly bleak and angry-making. But remarkably it is neither. That can only be attributed to Sibil Fox’s raw vulnerability, innate wisdom, honesty and strength of character which is captured so affectingly by Garrett Bradley. This is Sibil Fox’s story as revealed through 18 years of video-cam footage of the life and times of Sibil and the 6 sons she is raising while her husband, Robert, is in prison for a draconian sentence of 60 years.
The story is told using Sibil’s own words and lilting Louisiana-accented voice and includes typical childhood highlights, as well as ardent declarations of love and devotion. She appears to be an extraordinary mother and inspiration for her boys whose lives are exemplary yet tinged with the tangible pain of Robert’s absence. Her accomplishments in raising this family are as extraordinary as her personal growth. This is a beautiful love story.
© Amazon Studios
As Sibil fights tirelessly for Robert’s release, she finds her voice and becomes an outspoken advocate for prisoner’s rights, and an activist for prison reform. She is spiritually bolstered by her faith and her church and gives inspirational talks to families of prisoners. Her optimism, relentless determination and phenomenal belief in possibilities is what makes this film so uplifting. Bradley has managed to mix and edit Sibil’s archival diary with her own beautifully- filmed contemporary black and white footage so seamlessly that it all feels of a piece. It is not presented chronologically, which gives it a dramatic similarity to the displacement that Robert’s family feels toward the notion of time. There is time lost, salvaged and found. It is overlaid with a plaintive piano score. It is deserving of all of the praise it is receiving and it’s Oscar nomination for Documentary Film. (Available on Prime)
