Quick Review - Time Traveler's Wife

Spoilers may be below for anyone wanting to see or read The Time Traveler's Wife.

I have long raved about the book The Time Traveler's Wife. It is probably my favorite novel written in the past 10 years. I've only read it once but when I did, I devoured it. It is the book that I recommend to people when they ask me if I've read anything good (I've also read tons of good hard sci-fi and young adult books but people tend to dismiss you when you recommend such things).

I was a little worried when I heard there was a movie...as I always am when a favorite book is transformed by Hollywood. Although I originally hadn't re-read this book because my copy was stolen, I also was hesitant to re-read it this close to the movie. I wanted to enjoy the movie and not nitpick it in my brain, which I know is what I would do if I had just finished reading the book. I still remembered the premise of the book and the big details and plot points but the finer points were a little fuzzy after 5+ years since my reading. I think it turned out for the best, I wasn't shocked by anything but I was pleasantly surprised a few times (Hey, I forgot about that).

When I first heard of the movie - I was both happy and sad. Happy because I could see Rachel McAdams being a great Clare. Sad because of Eric Bana being Henry. Eric Bana has long been listed in my mind as the "Second Most Boring Man in Hollywood." I can't tell you exactly when I formed this opinion or why, I just know that every time I would see him in something I would be like "Ugh, this guy...he is SO boring." (BTW-Aaron Eckhart has long been number one but really playing to his strengths lately with boring, workaholic Bill in Meet Bill and straight-laced Harvey Dent in the Dark Knight has started bringing me around) Rachel was everything that I expected in the movie. Eric surprised me, he made a very good "every man" type character for Henry, and I quickly grew comfortable with him in the role. I must say that the casting of Ron Livingston as Gomez was perfect and although a small part he really played it well.

Overall, I really liked the movie. I thought it was a pretty good translation of the book. There were a couple things that I didn't like - which I admit might be because my memory has distorted and/or rearranged the books. The first one being Henry's death. I thought the movie was much more forthcoming with who killed Henry than the book...honestly, I remember the book seeming to lead me to think that Henry killed himself (not suicide - you'll understand if you've seen the movie or read the book). I also didn't remember that Henry and Clare having miscarriages when trying to get pregnant being so openly discussed as the fetus possibly time traveling...again I know it was hinted at which I think was a better way of handling it (Of course, who goes to a movie to think now these days). Many other scenes were cut out like most film translations but the essence was there and it was good. I would recommend this movie for anyone looking to watch something with their significant other. I believe it has enough love story and time travel material to appeal to a diverse audience.