About Time review

Unbelievably, About Time is only the third film directed by the king of Brit-rom-coms, Richard Curtis. The other two were The Boat that Rocked which virtually sank without a trace (despite my best efforts) and Love Actually. Which did quite well, actually. He’s also been responsible for writing Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral as well as helping with the screenplays for the Bridget Jones films, so not a bad track record really.

The trouble with having been involved in so many wonderful British films is that audiences can recognise when things become familiar and formulaic. Tim (Domnhall Gleeson) is told by his brilliantly eccentric dad, played by the inimitable Bill Nighy that the men in his family, for some random reason, can travel back in time. And what does Tim do with this life-changing, ground-breaking information? He decides to get a girlfriend. In a voiceover very reminiscent of Hugh Grant’s in Love Actually, About Time tells us that for him, “it was always going to be all about love.” And the object of his affections? Rachel McAdams. “An American woman?” you say. “Dating a British guy?” you ask. “Where have I seen that before?” And before you inquire, there is an unconventional yet charming sister and yes, the best friend is a bit of a loser.

There is absolutely nothing offensive about this film, it’s very sweet, very saccharine, you will find yourself smiling a lot. But it reminds me of a film seminar I had once, where my tutor made the point that people go to the cinema to be purged of emotion, to laugh, to cry, to fall in love. I was not purged. I was distinctly un-purged. I came out feeling as though I’d seen a classic Richard Curtis film but as though it was a rehash of every film he’s ever been associated with. Like a mishmash of YouTube clips. Which Universal has actually conveniently made for our viewing pleasure…

Even watching that compilation, I start to well up thinking about all the moments of unrequited love, rejection and complications in Love Actually, I laugh at all the “ooh, ooh, ooh, this is my favourite part! Spike is hilarious” bits from Notting Hill and even wince at the spectacularly bad decisions in Four Weddings (not least, the casting of Andie ‘is it still raining’ McDowell). There were no real stand-out moments like that for me in About Time, although it was excellently executed. You’ll like it but I don’t think it will hold a special place in your heart.