Review of About Time (2013) by Juliana C — 23 Mar 2014

I don't normally watch romcoms, but when I do there's a good chance it's a sappy British one that's bound to make me laugh and even try to get me to tear up. This is such an film. The story follows Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), a lanky insecure and hopeless romantic who is told by his father (the great Bill Nighy) that he and the men in his family have the ability to travel back in time to events they've already been to.

Tim naturally exploits his new talent to make sure he won't botch up his chance to meet the girl of his dreams. And when he does, it takes some time travelling, awkward fumbles and fixing before he's going on a date with Mary (Rachel McAdams).

The chemistry between the two leads is great as we follow them from the early days to their wedding and parenthood. The use of time travel though becomes more than a get out of jail for free card as the rules of time travel are made clear, such as you can't travel before the birth of a child.

This gets complicated when death and sorrow is also a reality and Tim eventually learns that sometimes you can't change or fix everything and in the end you have to let life take it's course. The dialogue is witty and clever and despite the 2 hour run time never feels dragged on.

There are a few scenes, such as the Kate Moss exhibition that feel a bit forced but they are ultimately overshadowed by the whole package. If you're a fan of director's Richard Curtis's work (Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, etc) then this one is up there with them.