Film: About Time

Director: Richard Curtis
Genre: Comedy Drama
Source: USA (2013)
Rating: R
Location/Format: Island Cinema
Grade: B-

Domnhall Gleeson--who first came onto my radar in last year's Anna Karenina and has a unique look and an imminently likable persona--channels his inner Hugh Grant to great effect in this little sentimental comedy. It's schmaltzy, and cheesy, and predictable, and fairly devoid of real stakes or drama, but it also happens to be sweet and good-hearted, and sometimes that goes a long way to making a sappy little nothing into a nice time at the theater.

Marketed as a romantic comedy, About Time isn't so much about getting the girl as it is about getting your own life. Curtis--whose Love Actually remains a Christmas favorite at my house, though I certainly understand why his treacly, heart-on-your-sleeve sensibilities don't work for everyone--is more interested in family relationships than strictly romantic ones. Yes there is boyfriend/girlfriend and husband/wife sentiment here, but there is also sibling love, and extended family love, and a whole lot of parent/child love. In other words, it's a film that will make you miss your dad (I suppose, of course, expecting you had a fairly all right sort of dad to begin with) and want to spend more time with your kids. (I assume, not having any myself).

The film doesn't spend a lot of time worrying about the intricacies or implications of time travel (pretty much suggesting that it just works and don't think about it), and if that bothers you then you probably aren't suited to the film in the first place. Instead Curtis makes clever, likable people go through small, relatable challenges to remind us that, for most of us middle-class well-adjusted types, life isn't so bad if we'll just let ourselves enjoy it. Of course, if you are not a middle-class well-adjusted type, your mileage may vary.

Fortunately, those likable people are led out by the always enjoyable Bill Nighy, the often cute Rachel McAdams, and the previously mentioned Gleeson. The three all have nice chemistry, and as the film progresses they take on the feel as a somewhat comfortable and lived-in family.

 I don't begrudge anyone for whom the film just suffers from an overdose of self-satisfied sentimentalism, but I have to admit I found it quite likable. Again I come back to that word likable. I think that's the defining adjective of this film for me. It's not mind-blowing or even great, but it's a pleasant enough way to spend an evening and reflect positively on one's own life and reminding yourself that your own life--even if not quite as perfect as the characters here--is also overall quite likable.