About Time

Take a beautiful romcom and add a sprinkle of sci-fi, and you get About Time. Set between the blissfully rugged coastlines of Cornwall and the familiar streets of London, the gentle Tim Lake lives his contempt life as a time traveler, as all men in his lineage do. The charm of this film, for me, comes from the elegant portrayal of time travel in such contrast to the overpopulated pool of more zealous works, like Doctor Who or Looper. Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy are perfectly cast to capture the class and quaintness of their characters, drawing on a relatable essence which pushes this story above and beyond ‘any-old fiction’. As a flattering 35mm showing, About Time is the perfect first date movie in L3 (speaking from experience), but fair warning, come prepared to this screening with a pack of tissues as tears will indeed be shed. I must add, if I had a nickel for everytime Rachel McAdams played the love interest of a time traveler, I would have not one… but four nickels! How strange.

Holly Beaumont

From director of Love Actually Richard Curtis, do not be mistaken in thinking that About Time is your quintessential romantic comedy, neither is it in the vein of your typical science-fiction. About Time is a charming and heartwarming film about love and the sublime joys of everyday life.

On turning 21, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) discovers he has inherited the exceptional genetic gift of time travel, an ability he intends to use in getting a girlfriend, and it is in the process that Tim realizes his unique gift does not exempt him from the turmoil and upheaval of both love and loss. However, the time travel device acts as a vehicle for the film’s moral message, whilst serving to establish a philosophical perspective which the audience is bound to take with them long after the film has finished: to appreciate every day as it comes.

About Time is a witty and intelligent film of surprising depth, with the poignant on-screen relationship between Tim and his steady, loving father (Bill Nighy) deserving particular mention. Moreover, Tim and Mary’s (Rachel McAdams) delightful yet honest relationship captivates and endears you from the very first instance. There are some infrequent plot inconsistencies, yet this does not distract from the refreshing perspective About Time takes on the human condition. Overall, Richard Curtis does a fine job of balancing comedy and drama, promoting a subtle sentiment that is neither contrived nor forced.

Hope Priddle