JIM reviews film “THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE” – It’s Not easy dealing with Unexpected Visits (& Departures)!

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

“THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE” – It’s Not easy dealing with Unexpected Visits (& Departures)!

Rating: 7.5 of 10 stars.

This was a difficult concept to bring off successfully, but they got it done (& did a bunch of filming for it in the CHICAGO area). ERIC BANA plays Henry, the boy & man who keeps flitting back & forth in time. He meets a young girl Clare (RACHEL McADAMS) to whom he tries to explain that he will end up MARRYING her later in her life. Since the story does not go chronologically, instead traveling to changing points both ahead and back in time, it requires concentration to clearly follow just “where” Eric is in his time & level of relationship with Rachel & her friend Gomez (RON LIVINGSTON) & their various family members. It’s a fascinating and at-times FRUSTRATING experience for the characters, because they’re never fully sure just when things may “change” for them & him (&, as he says, at times, he’s in “competition” with HIMSELF). Eric & Rachel keep trying to have a child, & everyone wonders if that child will ALSO turn out to be someone who can (& will) travel forwards & backwards in time. The acting is very good & believable, the relationships are warm & caring, & I think you’ll enjoy what they’ve created.