What if you could travel through time and see the future? “The Time Traveler’s Wife” centers on this question with the addition of a key element: love. Based on the highly popular novel of the same name by Audrey Niffenegger, the screen version has both positive and negative aspects. Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams star in this dramatic fantasy, directed by Robert Schwentke.  Bana, Henry, is a Chicago librarian that suffers from a rare genetic disorder that sends him rushing through time.  The truly bothersome part– he can’t control these episodes. Despite this condition, he does manage to fall in love with Clare, played by McAdams. She, in turn, makes the best of the situation and tries to have a somewhat normal life as she is madly in love as well.

As I was viewing this film, I kept thinking to myself, “This is such a sad movie.” Indeed, the storyline is tough, the fact that your significant other could disappear in an instant is truly disheartening. What works really well in the film are the romantic scenes between Clare and Henry. They are simply beautiful, sensual and playful. Together, the duo compensate for a truly ‘downer’ of a story. McAdams’s acting is similar to her work in the “Notebook” but has been brought up a notch.

The film shifts through many different time frames (particularly the late 80s and 90s).  The wardrobe styles are great to view and add an intriguing look to the film. Clare’s hairstyles change as do Henry’s. The Chicago skyline provides the backdrop and familiar landmarks are clearly in focus. The Lincoln Park Zoo is the setting for a time travel scene when Henry suddenly emerges near the big cat exhibit. He also rides the El train and Chicago background actor David Fitzgerald can clearly be seen sitting behind Henry with a ‘newsboy cap’ the type that the Beatles wore in the 60s.

A crazy part of the time travel is when Henry leaves, his clothes always remain and when he reappears he’s naked. The reappearances cause the most problems as he has to steal clothes quickly. We view him breaking into apartments and stores in search of any articles of clothing. In turn, this results in arrests or chase scenes by police, one can’t help but empathize with Henry’s on-going dilemma as he’s trying to get back into the arms of his true love, Clare.

One of the problems with the screenplay is the non cohesiveness of the script. It shifts too quickly from one time-frame to another time-frame. The constant shifting doesn’t allow for character depth or development. It would have been interesting to truly know how Clare feels about the sudden departures of her husband. Yes. We see her sad face time and time again, but no dialogue. Also, exploring Henry’s emotions would have been fascinating.

My book club read this book a couple of years ago and I remember the discussions revolved around the main theme of frustration. Clare and Henry do have a heart-felt love but the disappearing and reappearing do cause major problems. And what about having a family? This issue is addressed in the film and I will save the answer as a surprise.

The message of the film is loud and clear as it shouts from the roof-tops, ‘Enjoy every moment as if it were your last!’

Sarah Adamson © 2009