Movie Tip #41: The Time Traveler's Wife

Director: Robert Schwentke

Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams

Description: When Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) meets Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams) in a Chicago library they both understand that he is a time traveler, but she knows much more than this about him as he has not yet been to the times and places where they have met before. He falls in love with her, as she has already with him, but his continuing unavoidable absences time travelling - and then returning with increasing knowledge of their future - makes things ever more difficult for Clare.

Review: Something that sometimes bothers me in 'time travel fiction' is that there is usually a large chunk of the storytelling dedicated to the tedium of explaining 'how' time travel works. "The Time Traveler's Wife" is one of those films that pays more attention to the characters than to all the technicalities. That's what I liked the most about this movie. We really get to know Henry and Clare, who you both gain a lot of sympathy for. And you feel their feelings. Especially Clare's feelings, because she loves Henry so much and she gives up a lot of herself to be with him. This is a true love story, that really gets to you. And it's easy to follow although the story is pretty complex and not completely chronilogical. Rachel McAdams plays Clare, and I already said many times that she's one of my favorites. She proves again why. She's stunning as Clare and very believable and heartfelt. She had some really intense scenes and they stole my heart. I never was a fan of Eric Bana, who portayed Henry, but he's very good in this movie. But less than his leading lady. They make a great combination, they have chemistry. Even if you think the story sounds kinda weird, give it a shot. It won't disappoint you. The movie is based on a bestselling book by author Audrey Niffenegger.