About Time: Movie Review

Romantic-Comedies (Rom-com) are usually panned by critics with good reason, because they usually stink and lack any originality or real heart. That is unless they were written or directed by Richard Curtis, who has worked on films like “Love Actually”, “Nodding Hill”, and “Four Weddings and a Funeral”.  These are a few of the best rom-coms that have been released in the last couple of decades.  Curtis is back as writer and director of the outstanding “About Time”.  This is a rom-com with a heart and a time traveling twist.

The story centers on Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) who has just turned 21. Tim’s father (Bill Nighy) sits his son down and tells him that the men in his family have the unique gift of being able to travel back in time (though only though the span of their own lives).  All Tim actually wants is to have a girlfriend. Tim uses his new ability to try and get close to a young woman named Charlotte (Margot Robbie) that is staying at his family’s home for the Summer.  Unfortunately things don’t go as hoped there.

When Tim moves to the city for a job, he winds up meeting Mary (Rachel McAdams) at a black-out restaurant, where you cannot see anything or anyone inside. The two spend the night talking without seeing each other until they leave and connect outside.  There is an instant connection between the two.  Unfortunately, due to a time travel incident that happens right after their meeting, Tim winds up never going to dinner and meeting Mary.  That connection has been lost.  This of course doesn’t stop Tim from trying over and over to connect with Mary again until he gets it right. Eventually he does and they do fall in love.

“About Time” can be frustrating (but in a good way) because each time Tim uses his time travel ability to do something good, he affects another aspect in his life for the worse.   There are many surprises throughout and the writing here by Curtis is top notch.

Gleeson and McAdams have great chemistry, but the stand-out performances  come from the supporting cast.  Bill Nighy is always great and here is no exception. Much of the film’s heart comes from him.  Lydia Wilson who plays Tim’s sister Kit-Kat is fantastic as a girl who seems happy but has her own struggles to deal with.  Joshua McGuire as Tim’s co-worker Rory is extremely funny.

It is about time that we got romantic comedy as wonderful as “About Time”. Go see it!

By: Marc Ferman