The Time Struggle: A Review of the Movie "Momo"

The new adaptation of Michael Ende’s 1973 novel "Momo" by Christian Ditter examines the preciousness of time, a subject increasingly significant in current society where the hours in the day often feel scarce. The story is based in an unlabelled European city (similar in appearance to Rome) and follows a red-haired, enigmatic girl named Momo (portrayed by Alexa Goodall) who commands an unusual gift for listening, drawing the attention of those around her and encouraging truth during communication.

"Momo" creates a world where the antagonist, Grey corporation, relies on stealing time from humans to survive. Their scheme includes convincing people to wear bracelets that track their productive and unproductive time use, creating a distorted belief that saved time will accumulate for later use. This narrative serves as a metaphor for modern economic systems that demand productivity at the cost of individual fulfilment. However, the movie never illustrates how this time extraction is conducted or how it can be reimbursed.

Momo's backstory, a girl found without family, is intriguing. Yet, once she embarks on her journey to save everyone from the time thieves, she is denied complexity or reflection upon her future or her past. Although this aligns with living in the moment, it left the viewers wondering about Momo's personal desires and her acceptance of destiny.

Momo's most meaningful bond is with Gino (Araloyin Oshunremi), a teen juggling multiple jobs to assist his family. Gino becomes a digital star when Grey offers him a platform to fulfill his dream, illustrating the shape-shifting nature of social media in our lives. However, this aspect, like many in "Momo," is only superficially touched upon.

"Momo," at moments helped by a talking tortoise and an amusing Martin Freeman as Master Hora, travels to an alternate universe. The film’s stylized alternate reality adds an element of escapism while merging old-world charm with signs of a technocratic dystopia. All these variables offer a rich visual experience but deliver a somewhat incohesive narrative.

"Momo" emphasizes the dominance of responsibilities in our lives, compelling us to lose sight of what’s truly important. However, it steers clear of addressing the root causes of this imbalance, such as economic inequality and corporate greed. Even though the film technically concludes with everyone understanding the importance of time, it leaves us questioning whether they are genuinely at a better place to focus on their aspirations.