Monday, March 24, 2014
About Time (2013)
Cast: Domhnall
Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Richard
Cordery, Joshua McGuire, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Will Merrick, Vanessa
Kirby, Tom Hughes
Director:
Richard Curtis
Synopsis: The
night after another unsatisfactory New Year’s party Tim’s (Domhnall Gleeson)
father (Bill Nighy) tells his son that the men in his family have always had
the ability to travel through time. Tim
can’t change history, but he can change what happens and has happened in his
own life—so he decides to make his world a better place…by getting a girlfriend
(Rachel McAdams). But as his unusual
life progresses, Tim finds out that his unique gift can’t save him from the
sorrows and ups and downs that affect all families, everywhere. From Filmmaker Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings
and a Funeral), About Time is a
comedy about love and time travel, which discovers that, in the end, making the
most of life may not need time travel at all.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4/5 Reels
Review:
About Time, in
my own words, is charmingly quirky.
Richard Curtis, who brought us Notting
Hill and Love Actually, wrote
another wonderful film that breaks rules at every twist and turn. As you watch this film, you will think you
know what is about to happen, only to be surprised at the reveal.
The cast is wonderful in every
possible way. Specifically, Domhnall
Gleeson’s portrayal of Tim is loveable, cute, and yet awkward all at the same
time. He is like your nerdy little brother. To this day, I could not name a
better actor to fill his character’s shoes.
Opposite of him, Rachel McAdams, plays off the adorably quirky character
that is Mary, as no other actress could.
Their characters complemented each other so well, while still allowing
them to be their own person. Speaking of
chemistry, Bill Nighy’s portrayal of Tim’s father could not have been more
refreshing. While Nighy may be
recognizable for other films he has done, I was not deterred by his former
credentials. He reminds us all of our
favorite dad, uncle, or grandfather. This bond that Tim and his father had was
clear and simple from the very beginning, as both actors did not try to force
it. It was natural. Each and every one of these characters made
me wish I was a part of this family.
Even now, I miss them dearly.
However, the reason this movie did
not receive a perfect rating, would have to be due to the confusing subject
that is time traveling. While I did not notice it as much watching the film the
first time, my second time through revealed more questions than answers. If anything, the rules that are set up seem
quite inconsistent. The very first thing
we learn about time travel, within this film, is that the men in Tim’s family
are the only ones that can travel back in time.
Nevertheless, in the midst of a difficult struggle, Tim takes his sister
with him back in time. Another problem I
saw was that when Tim had already gone back in time, his father took him even
farther back in time, past events that could greatly affect Tim’s future. However, everything is the same, once Tim
returns. If either of these are allowed,
it was not made clear.
Still, there are some very poetic
moments that were clearly taken from time travel. For Tim, “it was always going to be about
love.” Now, several of you may not like
romance, but this is different. Every
time Tim travels back in time, despite his many faulty tries to obtain a
girlfriend, he always tries to fix the problem that is causing pain for the one
he cares about, and to say strongly, the one he loves. That is not always going to be a girlfriend,
but at times, a friend, his sister, or even his father. For Tim, love is not selfish.
So, take the time to watch this movie
at least once. These two hours are not
filled with the predictable mumbo-jumbo storyline that one has seen a hundred
times over in every other defined romance or romantic comedy. This is a good one, and two hours I am
willing to watch over and over again.
About Time is
“always going to be about love” and the lessons we can take away from it as we
learn to live everyday as it is for all its ups and downs. Enjoy life, and maybe even this film, too.
By: Merri Camburn
