Monday, August 31, 2009

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.

5 comments:

kelly said...

Having heard nothing of the book or the movie until I saw the trailer, here's the impression I took away of the whole affair:

Creepy time traveling dude marries the little 6 year old girl he ran across earlier in his trans-time pederast adventures. Does not sound very heart warming.

Michael said...

That is kinda it...but in a not quite as pervy as it sounds kind of way.

Cameron Ted said...

Come on baby?!?! you have heard of different area codes right? well this is different eras, you weren't even born...

does he physically time travel? would he kill the world with small pox or syphilis or flu?

and what is it? like a genetic disorder? really? actually I am getign angry...

now looking forward to D-10, revenge of the prawns

Michael said...

It is a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel. I figure it's as good as any reason for a non-scientist to be able to time travel...it's a movie about time travel you have to make some concessions or you won't enjoy it. From what I remember there was actually a decent explanation in the book (not as good in the movie).
Yes it is physical time travel. No he doesn't kill the world with a dread disease. 99% of his travels occur within his own lifetime (he is drawn to important events in his life over and over again). The other 1% takes place within the lifespan of his family. He is not jetsetting off to the middle ages to catch the plague or anything. Time travel does have severe consequences though...it is not all grooming of 6 year old girls to be future wives.

kelly said...

Does he let the Morloks eat his 6 year old bride?