10s Movie Review - Never Let Me Go

Director: Mark Romanek
Genre: Drama/ Romance/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley, Charlie Rowe, Charlotte Rampling, Sally Hawkins, Domhnall Gleeson, Andrea Riseborough, Isobel-Meikl Small, Ella Purnell

Description: The lives of three friends (Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley), from their early school days into young adulthood, when the reality of the worlds they live in comes knocking. 

 
Review: “Never Let Me Go” is the film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestseller of the same name. Director Mark Romanek managed to surround himself with purely great talent. I believe that “Never Let Me Go” is a fantastic film, that probably not many people have seen.
Kathy, Tommy and Ruth spend their youth in Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. Unlike their peers, however, their lives are already mapped out for them. No one seems intent on telling them, but more and more things point to a predestined fate awaiting them. When they leave the protected environment of school behind, they are confronted not only with deep feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal, but also with their inevitable fate.
The three leads, Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield, all play phenomenally. Mulligan, who has the central role, proves once again to be one of the greatest British acting talents. Knightley and Garfield support her perfectly and they form a great trio. The young Kathy, Tommy and Ruth are portrayed almost as impressively as their older counterparts. And also strong supporting roles by Charlotte Rampling and especially Sally Hawkins.  
Screenwriter Alex Garland chose to familiarize the viewer, who is not familiar with the book, with the fate of the children in the same gradual ways as they do during their childhood. It makes the harrowing story even more realistic and poignant. Not only is the narration calm and thorough, actually all facets of the film are made with care and passion.  
The only issue I have with the story is why more people resist the system or flee their fate? Or show their open opinion and disagree with the system, like Sally Hawkins’ character Miss Lucy. But that’s quickly forgiven, because this is such a beautiful film. The cinematography is wonderful. The use of color serves not only to create the atmosphere of alienation and timelessness, but also to distinguish the different chapters within the story. Most impressive, however, are the various shots that are so beautiful that you would want to frame them.
In addition to the cinematography, the atmospheric and emotionally charged soundtrack is also a true beauty. It comes from the hand of Rachel Portman who, seems somewhat unknown, but appears to have an impressive resume (including “The Cider House Rules” and “Chocolat”).
I read the book a long time ago, remembering I wasn’t that big of a fan. But the film is gorgeous and I would recommend it to many people.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - American Made

Director: Doug Liman
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jesse Plemons, Caleb Landry Jones, Jayma Mays
 
Description: The story of Barry Seal (Tom Cruise), an American pilot who became a drug-runner for the CIA in the 1980s in a clandestine operation that would be exposed as the Iran-Contra Affair.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 22: A MOVIE WITH RED POSTER ART
 
Review: In the early months of 1986, then forty-six-year-old pilot Barry Seal was shot dead in broad daylight ins his car. Smuggler Seal had made quite a few enemies and, in the last few months, was even less sure of his life than he already was.
Barry’s wife Lucy doesn’t know any better than that her husband has a good job as a pilot with a major airline. It’s a good job that brings food to the table and thus supports the couple’s two children with a third on the way. The fact that the workaholic Barry smuggles in the occasional batch of Cuban cigars may hardly be a name, but it does bring in some extra cash.
When Barry is unmasked by a man posing as a CIA employee, the game is up. Barry leaves his employer to shoot aerial photographs for the CIA to locate rebels affiliated with the Soviet Union. And when he hits the ground running in Colombia, he is recruited by Pablo Escobar’s people as a cocaine smuggler.
If he hadn’t engaged in so many wrong deals, Seal’s life story would be a suspenseful boy dream. This is also certainly how director Doug Liman approaches the complicated jobs Seal had to do for all sorts of people. The case gets more and more complex and Barry gets busier and is watched by more eyes.
Liman scores points as long as he keeps the momentum going nicely and doesn’t led lead actor Tom Cruise do too much character acting. In his portrayal, Seal is a gutsy guy who regularly overestimates himself. Nevertheless, he commands respect and gets away with a lot, with the result that he takes even more risks. Moreover, this is lightly embedded in the political situation of the 1970s and 1980s, both under Carter and Reagan.
It would get boring if we only hopped from job to job, so the Barry’s family life is also thrown into the story. Surely, sooner or later, wife Lucy will find out what shady business her husband is involved with. It could cause some turbulence in their marriage. But eventually Lucy gives in, especially when the money Barry gets becomes more and more. The fact that her relationship consists only of misconception, lies and false assumptions in not adequately played out. Cruise’s limitation as a dramatic actor are painfully revealed at these moments. He shines in action sequences and grand scenes, but the smaller, emotional moments really misses the mark sometimes.  
Liman tried to make a mix of drama, thriller, adventure and comedy. That’s where “American Made” isn’t as good as it could be. On an entertainment level, everything is fine, but the film fails to go in depth. And the fact that Barry Seal isn’t a very nice and likeable guy, also doesn’t help.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - Dredd

Director: Pete Travis
Genre: Action/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Heady, Domhnall Gleeson

Description: In a violent, futuristic city where the police have to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop (Karl Urban) teams with a trainee (Olivia Thirlby) to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug SLO-MO.

Review: The first time the comic book character Judge Dredd got a movie, was in 1995, starring Sylvester Stallone. It wasn’t a success either critically or financially. Fans were also not very satisfied with Stallone’s interpretation of the comic book hero. Especially the fact that Stallone’s Dredd took off his helmet constantly, which Dredd practically never does in the comics. Seventeen years later, Karl Urban took on the role of Dredd.
The first thing to notice about “Dredd” is how raw and grim director Pete Travis’ vision of the future is. In a post-apocalyptic future, the population lives close together in megacities, with crime rates as high as skyscrapers. Everything is dirty, people walk ins rags and the poverty is almost palpable. There is very little room for humor, and the jokes that a remade often come at the expense of a poor soul who finds himself on the wrong side of Dredd’s gun.
Urban plays the title role with appropriate authority. His helmet never comes off, but Urban’s jawline is charismatic enough. With few words but many actions, he makes Dredd a determined and unstoppable force. Thus he forms a fine duo with Olivia Thirlby as the inexperienced Judge Anderson. While Dredd deals with the violence in a purely physical way, Anderson uses her feelings and her brain. It provides a nice interaction between the two opposites, and Urban and Thirlby know how to convey the bond of trust that slowly but unspoken develops between the two.
Across from them, the duo faces crime queen Ma-Ma, a violent brute. Ma-Ma deals in a drug called SLO-MO, which causes the user’s perception of time to slow down, making for some nice 3D scene. The two judges find themselves trapped in Ma Ma’s domain, apartment building Peach Trees. This results in cat-and-mouse game, with both sides not shying away from any violence. The action scenes are numerous, rock-hard, and simply but effectively put together. The violence is occasionally quite explicit. “Dredd” has an atmosphere that resembles an eighties action film and it is this no-nonsense approach that makes this film so entertaining.  
“Dredd” barely distinguishes itself from similar action films. Fortunately, it doesn’t pretend to be anything more than that either. This was a great film, not for the faint of heart though.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - Star Wars Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker

Director: J.J. Abrams
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy
Runtime: 142 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Ian McDiarmid, Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Billy Dee Williams, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Daniels, Greg Grunberg, Dominic Monaghan, Keri Russell

Description: The surviving members of the resistance face the First Order again, and the legendary conflict between the Jedi and the Sith reaches its peaks bringing the Skywalker saga to its end.

Review: The resurrected Emperor Palpatine recruits Kylo Ren to restore his empire. Jedi-apprentice Rey and her rebel friends are the only ones tat can stop them.
In 2015 director J.J. Abrams had a challenge. He had the tough task to bring new life to the Star Wars franchise. And he managed with “Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens”. And in my opinion the second film in this trilogy, directed by Rian Johnson, was also good and I really liked it (I know this is an unpopular opinion).
For the finale, Abrams returns, but “Star Wars Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” is not as sleek as its predecessors. The story goes by so fast and important plot development hardly have any time to settle in.
A lot that happens isn’t that new or original, “Star Wars Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” stays in its comfort zone. The story plays a lot with family bonds and many elements are expected and predictable.
But the heart of the series hasn’t gone and I did enjoy this film. The emotional connection between Rey and Kylo Ren is strong and the moments where Abrams decided to focus on his characters are the best. And the film again looks fantastic, visually it’s great.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - Brooklyn

Director: John Crowley
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters

Description: Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) is an Irish immigrant in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with Tony (Emory Cohen). When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.

Review: “Brooklyn” didn’t win any Oscars, but with three nominations in the major categories, it did stand out. With her Irish background, the New York-based Saoirse Ronan seems to have been born to play Eilis Lacey in the film adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s novel on emigration. The quiet and unworldly girl grows up in a conservative Irish village, where she lives with her lonely sister and mother. Not long after her bitchy boss complains about daughters leaving their mothers behind, she gets the chance to go to New York and build a new life. Once on the boat to the continent, Eilis loses her sense of home and ends up in a duel between promising America and her heritage in Ireland, personified by the two potential life partners Tony Fiorello and Jim Farrell. One a simple plumber from Brooklyn, the other a wealthy man with a bright future who is left a big country house by his parents.
On the surface, “Brooklyn” seems to be a romantic film about a girl who has to choose between lovers on either side of the ocean, but essentially it’s about a new start, maturing and the choice between an uncertain future and a safe past. Emory Cohen plays Tony, a jovial New Yorker who fully surrenders to Eilis. Domhnall Gleeson is the more conservative yet trusted Irish boy who never left his country. Both have a credible chemistry with Eilis, but also face a much greater choice in her life.
The way “Brooklyn” is filmed, is subdued. Romantic and humorous scenes are subtle and regularly appeal to the imagination by implying rather than explaining. For example, Eilis struggles to change clothes on an American beach before she later confidently shows her New York bathing suit to her Irish friends. The arguments here are short and the visual jokes quick, but the situations say enough about Eilis.
In general, the controlled tone offers a rustic charm compared to the frenzy of modern love stories. Saoirse Ronan knows how to deal with this and plays her role convincingly: introverted and susceptible when she is overwhelmed by a completely new world. Then to be much more steadfast in her success or, on the contrary, vulnerable in the tear-jerking moments that feel sincere and never melodramatic. The supporting actors also fit perfectly into their surroundings of sober Ireland and proud America, where Eilis is always trapped.
This contrast is further accentuated by the impressive cinematography, set design and costume design. New York in the 1950s looks amazing. Compared to the somewhat grey Ireland, New York brings pastel colors and lively and picturesque streets. They form a seductive world for the young Eilis.
“Brooklyn” is a thematically strong drama, especially thanks to the nuanced interplay of a balanced cast and the beautiful production design. The romantic story cleverly conveys the feeling of emigration, has an impressive protagonist with Saoirse Ronan and carefully depicts the two places that tear the heart of Eilis apart. A beautiful fairytale story about homesickness.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 131: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Director: Rian Johnson
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 152 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Gwendoline Christie, Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, Lupita Nyong’o, Warwick Davis, Peter Mayhew, Kelly Marie Tran

Description: Rey (Daisy Ridley) develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

Review: As a fan of the Star Wars franchise, I am relieved. It’s a good one! “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was already a great start of a new Star Wars series and I was extremely excited for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. Director Rian Johnson took over from J.J. Abramds and manages to impress with a good mix of action, character moments, humor and drama.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” showed that the franchise still had the magic, we saw old heroes and new ones stole our hearts. Rian Johnson had a difficult task. He clearly respects and loves the Star Wars universe, but is also not scared to make it his own, especially with the humor he adds to it. The meeting between Rey and Luke Skywalker is great, but really nothing like you’d expect.
The film doesn’t focus on the training that Rey is undergoing, but more the inner struggle and insecurities of Rey. Daisy Ridley really does a great job. She is looking for her identity and in this she has a connection with Kylo Ren, who is also dealing with some struggles. How much are they alike and which character trade will eventually dominate?
I loved the fact that Poe Damercon, played by Oscar Isaac, had a bigger role in this film. He’s a character a liked from the start, also thanks to his sidekick BB-8, but his character was a little underused in the previous film. We got to know him better and he had a more important role too.
The return of Mark Hamill to the franchise probably made every nerd heart beat a little faster. And I have to say he was the best Luke Skywalker ever. I loved him in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. Also in combination with Daisy Ridley.
The addition of the Porgs was exactly right. I expected them to be as annoying as Jar Jar Binks in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace”, but they were in it just enough to make them loveable and not annoying.
The storyline of Finn and Rose is probably my only negative of the film. It took the pace out of the film a little bit and wasn’t as interesting. And off course the last performance of Carrie Fisher. It’s a bit heart breaking, but I loved seeing her one last time as Leia.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” was really good. I enjoyed it very much and wasn’t disappointed one bit. It’s not better than “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, but certainly an excellent sequel. I would say they are equal.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 125: Mother!

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Genre: Drama/ Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer, Brian Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson, Kristen Wiig

Description: A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

Review: “Mother!” starts pretty conventional: a couple lives a calm and peaceful life in a beautiful house. Their life changes when they provide shelter for two stranger. The husband (the characters don’t have names) feels okay about it, it’s his idea. But the wife feels uncomfortable and thinks it’s strange to simply invite strangers into their house. She does everything to make their house a home, when she sees intruders destroy it. But he loves the adoration he gets from them.
Director Darren Aronofsky builds up to ultimate chaos, with two trumps: leading lady Jennifer Lawrence and the house it’s set in. Aside from some shots of the house from afar, the camera stays indoors and is only a few feet away from Lawrence. Wandering through the halls, rooms and stairs her character’s feeling of being lost and helpless grows.
Aronofsky always gets the best from his actors and Jennifer Lawrence is no exception. It’s one of her strongest roles. The fact that she is the only character that responds to the situation the way we all probably should, you get the impression that there is more going on than we eventually led to believe. This is definitely not a movie for everyone, especially when we go towards the climax of the film. It’s pretty fucked up actually. But you have enough to talk about after seeing “Mother!”.
“Mother!” is original, unconventional, a bit disturbing and very well done.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 34: Frank

Director: Lenny Abrahamson

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 95 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy, Francois, Civil, Carla Azar, Shane O’Brien, Moira Broker, Paul Butterworth, Phil Kingston, Chris McHalem, Hayley Derryberry, Lauren Poole

Description: Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), a young wanna-be musician, discovers he's bitten off more than he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender).

Review: “Frank” is a fictional story loosely based on the alter ego of the cult band and comedy legend Chris Sievey, who transformed into Frank Sidebottom when wearing a giant fake head. In this film Michael Fassbender is the one wearing the head and “Frank” is a hidden gem.

In “Frank” musician Jon accidentally meets an unconventional alternative band. Because of an incident the band is looking for a keyboard player and Jon happens to play it. The lead singer of the band is Frank who, despite of wearing a big fake head hiding his face, is extremely charismatic. When Jon joins them in a remote lodge to record a new album, the situation becomes stranger and stranger.

The movie deals with one important question: what is success and how do you define it? It is different for everyone. Jon’s big dream is to break through as a musician and to reach fame with a big audience. He is looking for appreciation and doesn’t only want compliments from people like Frank. Frank, but mostly the band, doesn’t care about what the crowd thinks. Creativity can’t be taught, you either have talent or you don’t.

Michael Fassbender is great as Frank. With or without the head he gives away a fantastic performance. You feel his enthusiasm and love, but also his powerlessness, panic and pain. Maggie Gyllenhaal, as Clara, also does a good job. She is closest to Frank and hates everything mainstream. Casting Domhnall Gleeson was also a good thing. He doesn’t fit in the group at all. Even though he seems like an average man to us, he is the odd one in the group. He represents how we would probably feel in a group like Frank’s.

Music is off course a big part of “Frank” and the soundtrack is really strong. If you don’t like alternative, experimental and vague music, you might think otherwise. The film has a beautiful and touching ending and you will leave this film satisfied.

“Frank” is a quirky film about self-expression, love for music and friendship. I loved it!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 169: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Director: J.J. Abrams

Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Fantasy/ Adventure

Runtime: 135 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Harrison Ford, Peter Mayhew, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Mark Hamill, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Max von Sydow, Greg Grunberg, Warwick Davis, Gwendoline Christie, Ken Leung, Simon Pegg

Description: Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Review: With new additions to many great franchises, like “Jurassic Park”, “Mad Max”, “The Terminator” and now “Star Wars”, 2015 has become an iconic year. Not every franchise found the right balance between nostalgia and an interesting new story. I’m so glad “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” turned out this good.

Off course there is the nostalgia, by bringing back Han, Leia and Chewbacca and seeing the Millenium Falcon makes our hearts skip a beat. And it’s clear that writer Lawrence Kasdan and director J.J. Abrams know the original trilogy very well. This is all combined very well with a good new story and new characters. I loved BB-8, the droid. He had a bit more character then R2-D2 had.

Stormtrooper Finn, X-wingpilot Poe Dameron and Jedi fangirl Rey are all great characters and are a breath of fresh air. They form an unusual yet diverse group of protagonists. Epecially Daisy Ridley as Rey. She was the star of the film, what a great discovery. The main villain is Kylo Ren, who seems to pay tribute to Darth Vader. He is a strong and believable villain. Captain Phasma isn’t though, she doesn’t get enough screen time to convince us.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is a great film, the movie we’ve all been waiting for. And we got exactly what we wanted and hoped for. Definitely a 2015 favorite.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 168: Ex Machina

Director: Alex Garland

Genre: Drama/ Science Fiction

Runtime: 108 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alica Vikander

Description: A young programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) is selected to participate in a groundbreaking experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I.

Review: We meet computer programmer Caleb. He wins a competition to spend a week in the house of boss Nathan. What starts as a great week in a futuristic house in an idyllic environment, turns out to me so much more. Caleb is asked to test Ava, a robot made by Nathan. the start of an interesting relationship.

One of the central themes is the human emotion. Emotions can blind you and that’s what happens in “Ex Machina”. It makes you think about a combination of “Blade Runner” and “Her”.

“Ex Machina” is more a psychological thriller though. Nobody can be trusted and that makes sure of an interesting starting point. The acting is also great, especially by Alicia Vikander. Her role is very convincing and director Alex Garland couldn’t gave chosen a better actress for the part. Domhnall Gleeson and Oscar Isaac also give away great and solid performances. Isaacs is so diverse. “Ex Machina” has a great buildup, strong acting, topical themes, good visuals effects and a strong story. Definitely a movie to check out.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Battle: The Time Traveler's Wife Vs. About Time

Again I have chosen two movies with a similar theme. Both movies are about time travel. I love both movies, so it would be hard to pick a winner. Just let them go head to head and I will decided who’s the match winner in “The Time Traveler’s Wife” Vs. “About Time”.

 

CAST

The Time Traveler’s Wife: Eric Bana is Henry, the guy who can travel through time but doesn’t have any control over it. The titular wife Clare is portrayed by Rachel McAdams. They both do a great job, but I think McAdams is the big star in the film. She really shines.

About Time: Tim is played by Domhnall Gleeson. He can time travel and he can control it. He has to get into a small, dark place, clutch his fists and think of a moment he wants to travel back to. He can relive his own past, but he cannot make any major changes, because it will have effect on the present. His wife is played by, again, Rachel McAdams. And again she shines. Bill Nighy is the guy stealing all the scenes, as Tim’s dad.

STORY

The Time Traveler’s Wife: I just love the book, so the story is one of my favourites of all time. I was very excited when they turned it into a movie and I think they did a fantastic job. It was criticized, but I really liked the film.

About Time: I thought it was going to be another standard story about a guy who time travelled. I was really surprised with this film and it is actually on my favourites list now. It just feels so honest and real.

EFFECTS

The Time Traveler’s Wife: The moments that Henry disappears were made very well, it’s like pieces of a puzzle falling apart.

About Time: I just love the way this movie was filmed and I liked the colors and tones of the film.

WINNER

Like I said, “About Time” has become one of my favourites. It’s amazing, I love it. It’s is actually Rachel McAdams best film so far.

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 53: About Time

Director: Richard Curtis
Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

Description: At the age of 21, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.

Review: Time travelling isn’t that hard. Lock yourself in a closet, clench your fists and think of a moment in your past. Et voilá, when you leave the closet you enter your own past and you can make right what you did wrong. That’s how it works in “About Time”. In this romantic comedy we follow a few years of the life of young lawyer Tim and his American sweetheart Mary. The couple is surrounded by some eccentric friends and family members.
With “About Time” director and writer Richard Curtis added another great film to his consistent oeuvre. Like other movies in the genre, this movie doesn’t lean on a storyline that brings two lovebirds together in the end. This film is a chain of everyday situations. That this keeps your focus is because of the pace and the likeable characters.
The time travelling itself gives us some hilarious scenes, like where Tim is trying to help an actor who keeps forgetting his lines, or his first night with Mary. Every joke hits the mark, the characters manage to touch you and the actors are doing a fantastic job. Domhnall Gleeson is endearing as Tim, Rachel McAdams is charming as ever and Bill Nighy shines in every scene he is in. This man has a certain charisma you just can’t get around.
With the sweet and optimistic tone is “About Time” an absolute favorite for me. This is definitely a movie I will watch again… and again. And I don’t have to clench my fists and get into a dark closet for it.

Rating: 5/ 5