The Time Traveler's Wife

Movie Grade: B+

I've learned my lesson from Twilight. Never assume a movie will be good just because you liked the book. Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife ranks up there as one of my favorite books, so I was more than prepared for the movie adaptation to be a huge disappointment. Much to my surprise "” and relief "” it wasn't. Thanks to some skillful direction by Robert Schwentke, a faithful screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, just-right pacing, and the rock-solid Eric Bana, this complex love-story-with-a-twist makes a successful transition from page to screen. Even book devotees should be able to enjoy it. I took the ultimate purist "” my sister "” to see the film and she was thoroughly satisfied. Mind you, she knows that book backwards and forwards.

But for those of you who don't, the basic premise is this: Henry DeTamble (Bana) has a genetic disorder that causes him to spontaneously time travel. It's on these jaunts through time that he meets Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams) "” the love of his life "” at various stages in her life. For a man who's always drifting, Clare ends up becoming his anchor; but not without some messy complications from their relationship's one very huge, unusual obstacle. Yeah, it's a little convoluted and hard to explain. Any Lost fan knows that time travel always is. But in this case, it makes for a riveting romance unlike any other.

It also makes from some relationship dilemmas unlike any other. Henry can't control his ability, or how long it will last. He could be gone for days at a time "” not fun for him, or the girl who's left waiting. (Particularly when it happens on their wedding day!) Not to mention it's pretty dangerous. When he travels, he does it sans clothes, and depending on where he ends up, this could "” and usually does "” pose a major problem. Whether it's getting beat up in an alley-way or ending up stark naked in the freezing cold.

The more I think about it, the more I liked Eric Bana. He manages to ground the movie even as his character is constantly jumping around. Plus, he's got those sad, brown eyes "” which he uses to great effect as the tortured, sometimes-lost Henry. For me, the time traveler "” not the wife "” is the heart and soul of this movie. Rachel McAdams is nonetheless engaging as Clare, if a bit less successful than Bana. As Clare ages in the film, McAdams seems to become more comfortable with the character. When she's playing the younger more lovestruck Clare, it's almost as if she's trying too hard to play young. (But keep an eye on the adorable little actress who plays six-year-old Clare. She's such a natural and a real treat to watch.)

The effects in

the film were also impressive. The disappearing effect wasn't at all as cheesy as I would have thought. And Schwentke really throws some interesting shots and camera angles your way. One scene in particular has Henry pressing his hand against a cold glass window, then he time travels and all that's left is the warm handprint which takes a few more seconds before it fades completely. The shot is both eerie and effective. The film also effortlessly weaves scenes signifying the passage of time. While most other films would have certainly turned those scenes into a blatant montage, this film takes a smoother, more interesting approach.

One thing in particular that I was worried about was how the book's ending would translate on screen. I thought it would be an almost surefire disaster if the film decided to depict it literally. Thankfully, the movie chooses a slightly different ending that plays out much better on screen.

Be warned though, this film will probably appeal more to women than men. (TheCinemaSource's own Dan Deevy didn't see eye-to-eye with me on this one.) And with Rachel McAdams in the mix comparisons to her other star-struck romance, The Notebook, are inevitable. Personally, I felt it was way less sappy than The Notebook and less obvious in its efforts to make you reach for the tissues. The same can be said about the two books. Audrey Niffenegger's writing is simply light-years ahead of Nicholas Sparks. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a sap for The Notebook, but The Time Traveler's Wife is better made overall.

If you liked the book, chances are you'll like the movie. And even if you haven't read it, The Time Traveler's Wife is still worth you're time.

Movie Grade: B+

Synopsis:

A romantic drama about a Chicago librarian (Bana) with a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel, and the complications it creates for his marriage.