I wanted my dear spouse to view an unusual (and in my mind somewhat flawed) time travel film, so I put The Time Traveler's Wife in the DVD player and viewed the film for the second time. My spouse is a very astute, verbal person, whose reviews of films are usually far more detailed and insightful than mine. When this particular film ended, however, and I asked her for her views, she simply said "STUPID!" and, tired from a long day, would not deign to elaborate further.
Now in deference to the film, I must be a bit more explanatory. First, the acting is great. Eric Bana, who was brilliant in Munich, is a very sensitive Henry, a very believable protagonist who adores his wife and regrets leaving her to "travel." Rachel McAdams, whom we've discussed in another post, is equally as good as the wife who is left behind. They make a very handsome couple.
More positives lie in the apparent deeper messages. First, many men fade in and out of relationships, almost involuntarily. That's because us guys are hunters, not gatherers, and our inner world of emotions is more scary than jungles or caves. We are raised not to cry, to be macho men on the playing field, so that thing called intimacy that we create as adults does not come so easily. Better to flee now and then, just as Henry does.
Second, one of the most romantic of themes for women is love over time. While the guys are busy taking a breather from too much closeness, the gals fantasize a love that is so deep it includes friendship and trust and lasts an eternity. So basically the flick appeals to the ladies who find the idea of loving someone forever (and more) no doubt moving.
Another positive is pure originality. Time travel is not a new genre. Going back to H.G. Wells, it has been done many a time. But Audrey Niffenegger, an unknown author prior to the 2003 publication of her book, took the concept to a whole new level. Instead of focusing on the usual themes, the author gave the genre a love spin, a whole new view of what can be done with mingling romance and time travel.
YET: So many negatives. The scenes with the little girl and the naked adult male visitor are simply creepy. The whole last quarter of the movie, a melodrama about death and loss, are equality as vapid. Worse: We just don't go very deeply into the minds of our characters. We know very little about them and find it hard to care.
In summary, no viewer should miss the flick. It adds a wonderful new perspective to the time travel genre. But don't expect perfection. You won't find it here.
Now that I have seen the movie, I can read your review closely and with meaning. Overall, I think you are dead on! I, for one, am NOT a time traveler fan; just seems so implausible and manipulative as a cop out tool. Can't wrap my little head around it. Oh, but there was that Back to the Future series I loved. haha
ReplyDeleteOn to TTW. As far as its originality in combining time travel with romance, may I remind my blog partner of Somewhere in Time with Chris Reeves and ......I forget whom.
This movie must have had something for me because it held my attention on t.v. and that takes something. I decided it was the authenticity between these two.
Your broad study of male and female themes is soooo smart. And that runs into the film's greater theme, which is not time traveling (again just a deus ex machina), It's about a love that spans time. Confession: I actually teared up at that last scene, cliche as it may be, of her running to her love. Sentiment I don't apologize for. It reminded me of dreams I often have of beloved deceased people in my life. They are so alive in my dream; it is so real. I awake from those dreams and instead of being sad, I just think, wow, it was so nice "visiting" with you again. That's how I "time travel!"
Glad you got to see this one. As a non time-traveler viewer, you seem fairly impressed with TTW....and you're right, Christopher Reeves did a great job with Jane Seymour in the romance across time. That was a very moving story. Thanks for your compliments on my male/female observations. Yes, time travel can be a deus ex machina for broader themes. I like your comments on dreams. In truth, as you noted, our dreams make us all time travelers. How many times have I visited with my father and asked him to listen??!! Will keep you posted on any future (pun intended) time travel movies.
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