‘About Time’ film review

Photo: Universal Pictures UK

The night after a rather unsuccessful New Year’s party, a 21 year old named Tim (Domhnall Gleeson, son of Brendan Gleeson) is told by his father (Bill Nighy) that all the men in the family can travel back in time to an earlier point in their lives.

Boys being boys, a single Tim uses his new found power to get himself a girlfriend, Mary (Rachel McAdams), and also strengthen his relationship with his dad. And so it begins, Tim goes back in time over and over to change his past to ensure a better future. A bit like Groundhog day.

However Tim’s new superpower begins to become a burden. He can re-do any given situation so he constantly tries to better every moment of his life and as a result forgets how to live in the moment.

The first half of the film has some quality laugh out loud moments, but as it progresses and you realise that time is forever ticking away, you begin to feel a pull on the aul’ heartstrings. Director Richard Curtis did bring us Love Actually and Notting Hill after all, so About Time was pretty guaranteed to be a tear jerker.

With Curtis’ direction and the cast’s perfect performances, About Time is your typical feel good romantic comedy. We can be sure to see more of Domhnall Gleeson in the future – he might even be the next Hugh Grant.

About Time is in cinemas now.

Photo: Universal Pictures UK