A man learns that he can travel through time. He does so, with surprising consequences
After yet another unsatisfactory New Year party, a father reveals to his son, Tim (played by Domhnall Gleeson), that the men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time.
Even though they can’t change history, they can change what happens and has happened in their own lives.
Meeting the First Time, More than Once
Empowered by this stunning revelation, Tim decides to improve his life by getting a girlfriend. He moves from the Cornwall coast to London to train as a lawyer, and meets the beautiful but insecure Mary (played by the always-lovely Rachel McAdams).
An unfortunate time-travel incident means that Tim has never met her at all, so he repeatedly meets her for the first time until he wins her heart, after a lot of time travelling.
He goes on to create the perfect proposal, to save his wedding from the worst best-man speeches, and save his best friend from professional disaster, all using his unique power.
Not All Smooth Sailing
However, Tim soon finds out that his special ability is not only dangerous but also does not spare him from the travails every family experiences.
Producer Nicky Kentish Barnes says, “About Time is very autobiographical, in a sense; it’s bits of (director) Richard’s life all put together in a beautiful and well-crafted story.”
“The story is very emotional; we had grown men crying on reading the script. It is a slight, sort-of-magic realism with the time-travel aspect but it adds to the emotional content,” she says.
Story Inspiration
This movie was inspired by a conversation director Richard Curtis (who also directed 2003 British romantic comedy Love Actually) had with a friend about what they would do if they only had 24 hours left to live.
“The next step was how I would be able to incorporate this into a movie,” says Curtis.
“It would have to be about someone who could manipulate their final day, or manipulate their life in some way, to enable them to come to that conclusion,” he says.
Watch out for stellar acting from this more than capable cast, in this comedy about love and time travel.
You might realise, upon watching this film, that making the most of your life may not require time travel. Watch it, and see for yourself.
ABOUT TIME [NC16]
Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Bill Nighy, Rachel McAdams, Tom Hollander and Margot Robbie
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Run Time: 123 min
Release: Oct 10
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