Directed by Richard Curtis
Most Romantic Comedies are a dime a dozen. Cue the perfectly coiffed girl with optional awkward best friend meets tall, meaty man with optional "bro" friend(s). Insert gross misunderstanding that would be resolved in two minutes if they just talked to each other. End with a dramatic chase where boy catches girl right before she leaves town (or visa versa), and neither of them really apologizes or explains themselves, but they get to make-out as the camera moves to a wide, crane shot.
This neither resembles or represents anything in real life, and, as a matter of fact, it's not even good fantasy.
Full disclosure: I partake in these shenanigans, especially if they're Hallmark Christmas movies, but that doesn't mean I don't recognize them for what they are. They are the over-stocked, low-quality products of Wal-Mart in the movie world.
Why am I ranting about this? Because "About Time" is decidedly not the the above-mentioned formula. "About Time" is the RomCom Gotham City deserves. (But maybe it should be a RomComDram.)
I'm sure any way I describe the film will sound sappy. You'll just have to trust me that it's not schmaltzy or cheesy. "About Time" is about finding happiness and value in the ordinary days of living, which for most people are all the days of living. This takes form in one man's quest for happiness through his relationships with the love of his life, his father, and his sister mostly, with a few foray's into small acts of love and kindness with other people as well.
I'm sure any way I describe the film will sound sappy. You'll just have to trust me that it's not schmaltzy or cheesy. "About Time" is about finding happiness and value in the ordinary days of living, which for most people are all the days of living. This takes form in one man's quest for happiness through his relationships with the love of his life, his father, and his sister mostly, with a few foray's into small acts of love and kindness with other people as well.
The first thing you must know is that there is time traveling in this movie. But miraculously, the time traveling is not the star of the film in any way shape or form. Plus the mechanics of the time travel is not complicated so it's not distracting. And while the main character can redo moments, days, and, in theory, his whole lifetime, the film never even has the sheen of a "Groundhog Day" situation.
The next thing you need to know is that the movie is not about Rachel McAdams. I would go as far to say that she is barely a supporting character. Don't misunderstand me, I like McAdams and think she's a talented actor who is excellent in this film, but she is often cast as the center of attention, for lack of better phrasing.
But what's you really need to know about this movie is that it's beautiful and charming and heartbreaking and it feels realistic in feeling and how people work in and at relationships...aside from the whole time traveling thing.
I give it five stars up.
But what's you really need to know about this movie is that it's beautiful and charming and heartbreaking and it feels realistic in feeling and how people work in and at relationships...aside from the whole time traveling thing.
I give it five stars up.
