‘THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE’ IS A SAD ROMANCE ADAPTATION

Time fades everything: from material possessions to memories, nothing lasts. This we do know. The Time Traveler’s Wife explores these ideas in tragic and bittersweet ways.

The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009) Film Review

For Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana), time has become more of a reality than luxury. Ever since a tragic car accident that took the life of his mother when he was a child, Henry “vanishes” into the past. During these experiences, he forms a special bond with the small, precocious girl who grows up to become his wife. Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams) has been in love with Henry ever since he “appeared” in her favorite meadow near her home. When they finally meet as adults in college, she jumps at the chance to know and understand more than just a little girl’s fantasy.

After dating briefly, the inseparable lovers marry, much to the dismay of Clare’s friend (Ron Livingston). Even as newlyweds Clare finds she’s alone often, including their first Christmas. During their tempestuous marriage, Henry and Clare somehow find a middle ground, both learning to cope with the frequent separations. And yet, what they don’t realize is how brief their life together will be…

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Seeing this was a long time coming. The result of the movie both surprises and disappoints me. Going into this, I didn’t have the spoiler, but did understand the end wasn’t to be happy. To the credit of the writers, they tell us exactly what’s to happen, which perhaps makes it a bit easier to accept, but at the same time more difficult in the expectation of tragedy. Based on a best-selling novel, what strikes us about this is the realization that there is no purpose to Henry’s travels. A friend astutely pointed out that perhaps that’s the point. To illustrate that sometimes we must cope with difficult things that there is no earthly control over.

This isn’t a movie for a younger audience, just because, it’s quite the contemplative, emotional mess. This script is a mature love story and look at life that sometimes weighs down the plot (it’s more gloom than joy). To be honest, it’s been difficult to decide just what I thought of this. Without a doubt I do think I want a re-watch, hopefully with an end result getting my thoughts in order. It’s just just an unusual story. If there is one thing The Time Traveler’s Wife perfects, it’s being unique.

Here and there, there’s a moment that is really sweet, and in general, the acting is good. (McAdams is a fabulous actress.) But overall the film is more lackluster than anything, which is perhaps why it’s so surprising that the end manages to amp up the climax. Furthermore the cinematography in this setting is gorgeous, and even if it’s not viewers’ ideal, the close does coax a smile. This is more in a realization that the characters are going to be “okay.” Regardless of the reaction, this does leave you with quite a lot to think about. It will make you cry, and root for certain things, but rarely does it bring a smile.

When you know what to expect, The Time Traveler’s Wife is interesting. Even if for no other reason than its ability to make us think about how fleeting time is, and how frequently we choose not to cherish the beautiful in life.

Content: there’s several instances of partial nudity. Henry appears at his destinations nude. Likewise, Clare is seen leaving bed [a full, but brief shot of her back is glimpsed]. On their first date, Clare and Henry spend the night together [she begins to undress as they fall onto the couch. Clare becomes pregnant when meeting Henry from the past. Beforehand, the couple suffers numerous miscarriages, suggesting the baby time traveled. Profanity is sprinkled throughout. There is a short-lived fistfight; a man is fatally shot, with some blood [impact unseen]. The film is PG-13.