So a few months ago, I saw this trailer on IMDB and knew that I just had to watch it.
And so I did, on a whim with my friend Dred last Thursday night. And I am just gonna go ahead and say it: this is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen this year, or maybe ever. I came into the cinema expecting a lighthearted romantic comedy about time travel and totally did not expect that aside from the laughter, there would be depth and tears and life lessons told in British accents. Just like my most favorite rom com of all time, Love Actually, which was also written by the same writer, Richard Curtis.
About Time is the story of a guy named Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) whose father (Bill Nighy) shares a family secret on his 21st birthday: all the men in their family have always been able to travel backwards in time in their own life. Tim uses this gift to get himself the most important thing he ever wanted in his life – a girlfriend.
He uses his newfound power to try to woo his sister’s gorgeous friend, from which he learns his first lesson: “All the time-travelling in the world can’t make someone love you.”
But then he meets Mary (Rachel McAdams) in a very interesting meet-cute – they go on a blind date in utter darkness, and fall for each other’s personalities before ever setting their sights on each other. And when they finally do, they like what they see, and they exchange numbers, and Tim is excited to see her again. But before he can do so, he uses his powers to help out a friend with a problem, and in the process, the butterfly effect is that he never meets Mary. Uh oh. Now what?
Don’t worry, I won’t spoil the rest of the movie for you. That’s how the first part goes – just a lighthearted feel good funny romance. But like a real life relationship, theirs becomes more serious, and the movie grows deeper and deeper until you leave the cinema in tears. It’s the good kind of tears, though, the kind that makes you think about your own life and loved ones, including your family. And I really loved the life lessons that Tim imparts in the end.
I want to watch it again, actually. Have you seen it? If you have, let me know what you think!