The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

I should start this off by mentioning a few things. First and foremost, I've never written a real movie review. I used to have a book that I would write them in for myself, for reference, but they were more like lists. This is the first time anyone will read my reviews. My hope is that my reviews will get better with time, along with this blog as a whole. Second, I probably made a poor choice for my first blog. I saw The Time Traveler's Wife through a filter of being totally in love with the novel on which it is based. Now on with the show...

I came across The Time Traveler's Wife on a bookshelf at Target. It was sort of a random choice. I read it quickly and became enamored with the characters and the very palpable love they felt for each other. It's a difficult plot to explain, but is basically about a man named Henry DeTamble who has a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel involuntarily. He meets Clare Abshire when she is six, and when he is 30-something, though Henry is only eight years her senior. The story is of their relationship, and the troubles caused by Henry's disorder.

I don't know exactly when I became aware that a movie based on the book was being produced, but I know it was a while ago. I read that it would be released during the 2008 holiday season, and then it was pushed back to Spring, and then finally Summer. Turns out it was because Eric Bana had to regrow some hair to do a few reshoots, but that's neither here nor there. My point is, I have been waiting and waiting to see this movie.

I checked IMDB religiously for new details. Finally, a cast was announced. I was totally thrilled to find out Rachel McAdams would be portraying Clare Abshire. I adore her. She is beautiful in a very natural way that I admire. Eric Bana as Henry DeTamble, though? You mean the guy that played Bruce Banner in that really shitty Hulk movie? Are you serious? And who decided it was a good idea to cast the Office Space guy as Gomez?

I was very wrong. Eric Bana did an amazing job. He was Henry. Bana looked almost exactly how I had pictured Henry, handsome with a bit of scruff. Ron Livingston played a really good Gomez. He was funny and charismatic, the way Gomez is supposed to be. But Rachel McAdams just is not Clare. I don't know who I would have chosen in her place, but Clare is supposed to be fiesty, vibrant, and completely in love with Henry. I just didn't buy it and for the first time my lovely Rachel disappointed me. I do want to add that I was very impressed with Brooklynn Proulx's portrayal as young Clare. She was cute as a button and already a great actor. I hope to see more of her soon.

I wasn't sure how smoothly the timeline of the book would translate on screen, but it was done well. There was no confusion as to exactly when the audience was seeing. The camera work and editing in one particular scene really sticks with me. It's the showing of time passing between Alba's (Henry and Clare's daughter) birth and her fifth birthday. I can't describe it, but it's genius. Kudos to the guy (or girl) that put together that shot.

As it is quite a long book, the movie did leave out many details that really draw the audience to the characters. I know it wouldn't be possible to include everything, but without the small details the characters almost lose their humanity. We don't get to struggle with Henry's genetic anomoly and its effect on his everyday life, empathize with Clare's attempt to cope, or really experience the birth of their love.

The Bottom Line: C+: The acting was slightly above average. The settings (rural Michigan and urban Chicago) were breathtaking. I do want to add that someone who did not read the book told me that the film did not make sense and seemed to never end. So maybe it really doesn't make sense. According to this website, The Time Traveler's Wife may be coming to the small screen. I hope it's a success, this story deserves a lot more time, attention, and love.