Review – About Time (2013) directed by Richard Curtis.

Watched on December 26th, 2020
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Yesterday, one of my friends told me about this movie. He said I’d love this movie, and that it was one of his favorites that he wanted me to watch as soon as I could. I made note of that and planned to watch it soon. Today, a completely different friend who is completely unrelated to the first friend, recommended me this very same film. She said it was one of her favorites, and that I’d love it as well. She highlighted the killer soundtrack, as well as the fact that she’d probably seen it at least 15 times. Now, this couldn’t possibly be a coincidence. I’d never heard of this movie before yesterday, and suddenly two very close people in my life both tell me to watch the same movie? Something about this film must be very good.

Well, they were right. And there is something — in fact, there are multiple things that are very good about this film.

The premise is great. It’s intriguing from the start and doesn’t try to make this some insanely dramatic and climactic moment in the film. It doesn’t treat this revelation like some sort of bomb drop that’s gonna impact the film dramatically (it still does impact the events of the film in a crazy way of course, but I just really liked how they handled this moment). Because of the way they reveal this, Tim and also us as the audience can have fun with his power rather than adding unnecessary stakes. It creates a really nice tone for the film, making it such an enjoyable watch. All of the comedy hit for me and all the emotional beats did as well. When I was meant to cringe, I cringed. When I was meant to laugh, I laughed. When I was meant to feel sad, I did that too. This movie hit all of those emotions you might crave in a film, and it does so incredibly well.

I loved this movie for many reasons, but probably the most important reason is how it made me feel. I can be a pretty contemplative guy AKA I think. A lot. Basically, I overthink. This can be anything from thinking about what I’m gonna say in a conversation “3 turns” ahead of whoever is speaking, or deciding what to wear to school on an average day, or deciding where to eat lunch with friends, or letting a comment I made or interaction I had earlier in the day eat me up as I think about all the ways I could’ve done that moment differently, or even when I think about whether to take a risk or not, whatever that risk may be. I overthink in life, and I’ve known that about myself for a long time.

To me, it’s a blessing and a curse; sometimes things go a lot better when I overthink before doing something, other times I either make something worse or miss out on an opportunity entirely. Something this movie truly made me feel was that sole sense of pure and utter appreciation for life. I don’t want to have to overthink every decision I make. I don’t want to have to overthink every decision that I want to make. I don't want to have to overthink about if I should take a leap of faith or not. But something about this movie just made me want to enjoy life the most I can, and not worry so much about overthinking the “what ifs” of things I have done or things I might do.

This movie, as unrelated as it may seem at first, reminds me of a motto I’ve kept close to my heart for a long time now: Seek Discomfort. This motto is all about how life is best lived on the edge of your comfort zone, pushing your fears to be able to try new things and live life to the fullest. This movie only enhances that idea for me: appreciate life every single day. Don’t worry about what you could have done differently or what you might have changed. The past is the past, but the future is what you make it. For me, I want my future to be full of taking risks. Yes, some will pay off and some won't, but that's life. Living a life where I can truly appreciate everything it has to offer, especially the small details, and die with as little regrets as I can is the only life I want.

This is a really special movie, and I can now see why my friends wanted me to watch this. Sure, part of me feels like there might be a minor plot hole in this film. Actually, there may be a lot of plot holes in this film. But I feel the same way about this movie's plot holes as I do about the plot holes in Back to the Future: I don’t care. The films are just too good for it to matter. I loved this movie and can see it being an inspiration both in my love for film and in my life as well for years to come. I’m so glad my friends told me to watch this movie, and I very much appreciate them being in my life.

Check out the original review posted on Letterboxd here.