contrivances

“We Live in Time” is also chock-full of contrivances.

The contrivances of the situation are inescapable, despite the scrupulous honesty of the performers in director Michael Herwitz’s charged production.

How the satire becomes the tragedy is central to the power of Ibsen’s dramatic construction, overriding its occasional plot contrivances.

“Drive” already has to contend with the fact that, like all sports shows, it is straightforwardly spoilable, so additional contrivances just add more drag.

Ewell doesn’t help himself with a couple of contrivances that are crucial to propelling the plot along.