It’s time for another edition of everyone’s favorite segment… movies on Netflix.
I love getting to revisit these older movies, especially since they’re essentially free. I know I pay for the Netflix subscription, but I’m not having to pay for each individual movie. Compared to the price to see them in theaters, I consider them free. So those new releases are going to have to wait because I’ve got the Netflix movie for you.
Calling all my romance lovers.
Are you ready for a good cry?
Are you ready to feel all the feelings down to your toes?
Are you ready for some more Rachel McAdams in all her glory?
Move over The Notebook, About Time is about to steal the show.
Here’s the honest truth (please don’t murder me in my sleep), I’m not one of those people that like The Notebook. I haven’t seen it since it came out, so there’s still hope that I could change my mind, but with that, I know that About Time probably isn’t as good. I’m not saying this movie isn’t worth watching - it’s a great way to spend a rainy Saturday. I’m just trying to set some realistic expectations for all of you.
*whistling a random tune*
Okay… moving on.
Even though I’ve seen this movie before, which my husband had to remind me, I still wasn't prepared for the ending. Honestly, I didn’t remember a thing about the movie except for one random scene. So there I say, crying the same tears that I’m sure I cried the first time. This isn’t your typical sad movie. It’s the type of sad that generally comes with living life. The type of sad you would feel if you could rewind our whole life and relive the good moments.
And like the idea of rewinding, About Time is exactly that. It’s about a boy who can essentially go back in time. Not just him though, but every man is his family. He finds out about this unique trait on his 21st birthday and with that power he vows to do one thing - find true life. From there, we go on a wild ride as he tries to make Rachel Mcadams, aka Mary, fall in love with him. There’s a lot of time travel as he must go back to fix all his cooky mistakes, creating a lovely layer of light comedy. I mean… the wedding. I don’t know if I would have been able to be that calm. But that was one thing that our lead didn’t go back to change.
What you won’t be ready for are the moments that make you think about life. How Tim must learn what it means for him to live with the power. His father tries to teach him what it all means, how to stretch out every last drop of life, but what about those of us that can’t go back to relive the happy moments? To relive moments with fresh eyes. About Time makes you think about what it means to live life each day. To look at the day with fresh eyes the first time.
It’s a great reminder as the world has been forced to slow down due to COVID-19.
But let’s not lose that in the core, About Time is about love. A sweet, realistic love that has us all believing that it does exist. I would know, I married my own soulmate. Lucky me.
So grab that bowl of popcorn, maybe some chocolate too, and enjoy a feeling movie.
Oh wait… silly me. I never once talked about technique. What can I say? I really and truly enjoyed the movie as a viewer, and that in itself says a lot. I wasn’t pulled out by things that happened - unless you count all the chatting from watching it with my friends through Netflix Party.
I can comment on the breath of the movie, something too many screenwriters forget. They think it’s all about shocking scene after shocking scene, but viewers don’t need to keep running from one thing to another. There needs to be moments to relax, know the characters, and breathe in the air. To make the most of those moments, you need good visuals and music. An overall essence to the aesthetic of the movie. About Time delivered them beautifully. The locations and color scheme were relaxing and cohesive. I wouldn’t mind dipping my toe into the same world.
Happy Watching
Love Kait