About Time

If it followed the premise of a sci-fi rom-com where the protagonist goes back in time again and again to “get her” throughout, as it looks in the first half hour, About Time would have been a lot more fun. But in the end it’s a little monotonous and an incredibly non-conflicting fairy-tale that doesn’t want to be anything other than pleasant. It’s not my cup of tea, but I can’t deny its feel-good charm. (01/05/2014)

I didn't find the idea of time travel very well and logically used (The Time Traveler's Wife played with it better, if I have to compare it within the romantic genre) and it was too long, so I couldn't escape boredom by the end. So the third film directed by Richard Curtis is, from my point of view, "just" a pleasant spectacle with likeable actors and one great actor (Bill Nighy, of course), with a nice soundtrack and some really funny scenes. (01/19/2015)

An incredibly cool action-packed movie with a plethora of finely crafted dialogues, excellent timing of scenes, love that never gets mundane, and appropriate life paths for every situation. That alone is somewhat like science fiction, and time travel doesn't even have to be involved. But (not only) Rachel McAdams is simply incredible. It is impossible to resist. (08/18/2014)

I’m aware that there are many, many films that are better in form and more important for the development of the medium, but I don't give a damn about them. About Time is a story about perceiving and experiencing the world around you that gives you wings and energy to get up again tomorrow and enjoy every (un-)ordinary minute. A story that completely absorbed me for two hours and showed me new dimensions that feelings associated with words such as love, happiness or friendship can take. A work of art with the most beautiful and beautifully conveyed message. Gleeson is the most likeable movie romantic, Rachel is the most amazing and wonderful romantic's dream, and Richard Curtis is a man I admire and respect indescribably. This is one of those films that can replace true love for me. Objectively, I could criticise it for a few logical inconsistencies and the lack of a supporting conflict in the second half, but subjectively it is perhaps my favourite and most emotionally influential cinematic experience along with Shawshank – and I prefer those emotions and impressions any day. (01/05/2014)

Objectively speaking, I could raise about a dozen objections against the film, meaning I could give it an average review, but what can you do? It's one of those films where you don't care about logical lapses and plot contrivances because you are enticed by the dialogue tapped from life and by the romantic storyline polished to perfection without flaw or blemish. After that, you're just left jumping for joy at personal highlights like a woman's choice of dress, and when it comes to the black-clad funeral procession, you raise your glasses to wipe away a tear without feeling bad about it; Richard Curtis creates experiences. (11/25/2013)