Movie: About Time
Director: Richard Curtis
Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy Lydia Wilson and Lindsay Duncan
Rating: ****
I didn’t even know about “About Time” until I watched it recently. It wasn’t one of the films I was really looking forward to, because even though it’s directed by Richard Curtis, who is considered a hallelujah of romantic-comedies, I haven’t kept track of his work after “Love Actually”. Therefore, I walked in with least expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the time I walked out drenched in love. I don’t want to compare “About Time” with any of previous works of Curtis for the simple fact that I haven’t seen all his films.
“About Time” is part romantic, part coming-of-age and part slice of life laced together with some philosophical message about a father-son relationship. Of course, it has its share of flaws, but that doesn’t stop it from tugging at your hearts with its simple story.
On Tim’s (Domhnall Gleeson) 21st birthday, his father (Bill Nighy) informs him that, like all other men of their family, he now has the power to time travel into his immediate past. All he has to do is, find a quiet, dark place, think of the moment he wants to return to, and life will rewind without even having to say ‘abracadabra’. Tim is not an ambitious man, and therefore, he uses his gift to find a suitable girl he can spend his rest of life with.
At heart, “About Time” is a romantic tale, but it is also a coming-of-age story of a young man who sees the world around him through the eyes of his doting father. The strong bond between the father and son is used effectively by Curtis to veer away from the romance in the film. He reminds us of the important role family plays in all our lives, and the need for its members to take care of each other no matter where their own lives take them in the pursuit of happiness.
Scenes between Nighy and Gleeson are a treat to watch. More than the father-son relationship they share, it’s the camaraderie between them that instantly catches our attention. Curtis emphasizes a lot on the funny yet emotional conversations between the father and son.
One look at “About Time” as a time travel flick could disappoint you, because it’s not one at the first place. The time travel concept is used merely to give a twist to the romantic angle of the film, which also highlights whether we really deserve a second chance in life to fix everything. Initially, it vouches for the need to have a second chance, but by the end it conveniently asks you to do it right in the first outing, so that you never ask for a second chance. As a viewer, you’re left to choose what you think is most suitable for your own life – the ‘perfect’ first chance or the second outing.
Domhnall is a perfect successor to Hugh Grant. He may not be as charming as Grant, but certainly has the aura of a hero of a Curtis film. His initial scenes with Mary, as he desperately tries to impress her with his charm are definitely to cheer for. McAdams as Mary is not the strongest woman character you usually find in Curtis’s rom-coms, but she turns in an adorable performance.
Curtis uses humour suitably even in the most awkward scenes to entertain us. Nighy has the tiger’s share of humour, and he uses it effortlessly to never miss an opportunity to make us smile.
“About Time” isn’t your best rom-com ever, but it certainly isn’t a bad one either. It has life’s most important lessons that you seldom find in any film in the same genre.
