Had it not been for Rachel McAdams, the fact that this was a Richard Curtis film probably would have been enough to keep me from seeing it. Other than The Boat That Rocked, I've not been that big a fan of Mr Curtis. But luckily for About Time, it does have Rachel McAdams, and that was enough for me.
The film opens on a New Years Eve party, during which Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), shakes hands with a girl at midnight rather than kissing her. The next day, Tim's father (Bill Nighy), reveals that the men in their family have the ability to travel through time, as long as it's within their own lifetime. Not believing this preposterous story, Tim decides he will try to go back to the New Years Eve party and kiss the girl. All he has to do is shut himself in a confined space, close his eyes and think of the moment he wants to go back to. So when Tim opens his wardrobe door to discover he is back at the New Years party, he is beyond belief that his father was telling the truth. Not only that but he is excited for all of the possibilities this will open up for him, mainly with the opposite sex.
The best way I can descibe About Time is to tell you what I said to my friend as the credits rolled, 'that was a really nice film'. Now, to some of you, the fact that I said it was 'nice' might sound boring, safe, not all that interesting. And I suppose that depends on your definition of nice. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me feel something for it's rather ordinary characters in an extraordinary situation. With a premise like this there are of course plot holes. To be honest, I liked the film so much that I don't really want to dwell on that by nit-picking. About Time is a really sweet, touching film, lovingly made by those involved, wonderfully acted and I would highly recommend it to all ages.
It's rare for me to like British made comedies, it's even more rare for me to like films by Richard Curtis. Combine the two and I should have hated About Time, but it's different, and I like that about it. 8 out of 10.
Viewing Date - 25th September 2013
UK Release Date - 4th September 2013
Cast Overview:
Tim ~ Domhnall Gleeson
Mary ~ Rachel McAdams
Dad ~ Bill Nighy
Kit Kat ~ Lydia Wilson
Mum ~ Lindsay Duncan
Uncle D ~ Richard Cordery
Rory ~ Joshua McGuire
Harry ~ Tom Hollander
Charlotte ~ Margot Robbie
Jay ~ Will Merrick
Director/Writer ~ Richard Curtis
That's what happened with me and the Doctor Who episode "Vincent and the Doctor". Richard Curtis ...Awesome script, brilliantly made and fantastically acted.
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