About Time

Writer-director Richard Curtis's (Love Actually, Notting Hill) latest is an inventive fantasy fable about life, love, and living every day as if it were your first—or last. The dramedy commences when—on his 21st birthday—Tim (Domnhall Gleeson) is told by his loving father (Bill Nighy) that he can time travel backwards within his own lifetime; an extraordinary gift that is bestowed on the men in the family. At first, Tim doesn't believe him, but when he realizes he can re-meet his adored Mary (Rachel McAdams)—and ensure that she doesn't fall in love with anyone else—this incredible genetic legacy becomes a real boon, allowing Tim to revisit and repair experiences that he regrets. Curtis excels at charming and witty romantic comedy, so when Tim is courting Mary, a sense of daffy, self-deprecating delight reigns. But when the narrative shifts focus to subplots involving Tim's reckless kid sister (Lydia Wilson) and his father's terminal illness, the twisty time-travel concept falters. Fortunately, About Time doesn't delve too deeply into quantum physics, employing sci-fi only when it suits the meandering philosophical plot. Gawky, ginger-haired Gleeson evinces little of the breezy bumbling charm of a Hugh Grant; he's “too tall, too thin, too orange.” But McAdams is adorable, and Nighy exudes a characteristically idiosyncratic charisma. Shamelessly sentimental, this will nevertheless tickle funny bones and tug hearts. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Richard Curtis and costars Domhnall Gleeson, Bill Nighy, Vanessa Kirby, Lydia Wilson, and Tom Hollander, deleted scenes with intros by Curtis (16 min.), a blooper reel (3 min.), "The Luckiest" soundtrack featurette (3 min.), a "How Long Will I Love You" music video by Ellie Goulding, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the production featurettes "The Look, Style, and Locations" (8 min.), "About Tim and Time Travel" (5 min.), and "The World of Richard Curtis" (4 min.), as well as bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an enjoyable film.] (S. Granger)