The Time Traveler’s Wife (PG-13)

The difference between romance and true love is tough to demonstrate, but is best illustrated at the hands, or rather the emotions, of great on screen performances. Based on the novel by Audrey Niffenegger, 2009’s “The Time Traveler’s Wife” is a perfect love story filled with robust emotion and believable grit by its characters, enshrouded in a very creative and perfectly original plot.

“The Time Traveler’s Wife” chronicles a three decade relationship between Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) and Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams). A head injury suffered as a child causes Henry to inadvertently and uncontrollably travel through time. Everyone fantasizes about the ability or desire to time travel, but having no ability to choose when he will suddenly leave or what the destination will be, Henry is saddled with a terrific burden.

At some point on the spectrum, Henry meets Clare and an eternal bond is formed. The story is told in a somewhat linear retrospective as Henry disappears with little or no warning, only to reappear (completely naked as only his body travels) at various points in time. Unable to alter history, the only thing of comfort is that Henry often will visit the same places – specifically encounters with Clare –  beginning when she is just an eight year old child. “It’s like gravity.” He explains to her. “Big events pull you in.”

In an odd way, while Henry is the key character and the ire of focus with his strange ability, the story belongs to Clare. One would think the pain of such an ordeal would side with Henry alone – but Clare is stricken with the devastation of having to watch Henry constantly leave her, never knowing when he will come back.

Rachel McAdams owns the movie as she brings to life the character of Clare. McAdams always carries the inner power of a strong woman in the shell of a cute girl next door type and as Clare, gives the viewer a glimpse of the emotional stress that would accompany someone stranded in this unusual situation.

While many of us yearn for true love, our desire is to have it in a perfect way (sans illness, premature death, or any other of a host of issues). McAdams demonstrates her true love for Henry, and her choice to sacrifice any semblance of a normal life, just for the limited times she gets to spend with him.

Likewise, Eric Bana is a near flawless fit for Henry. With an unassuming way, Bana plays the role well as an otherwise normal fellow stuck in a place no one would ever want to be in. Bana’s talents show how Henry longs for a normal life – like anyone else – and can never have it through no fault of his own. As he jumps to and fro he does his best to keep his love for Clare at the top of his priorities, and you get the understanding of how deeply he cares for her.

Secondary characters come in the form of friend Gomez (Ron Livingston) and Henry’s father Richard (Arliss Howard). Both men are of the few that know of Henry’s time traveling, and both deal with it in different ways.

While Gomez is a constant supporter of Henry, going out of his way to help when and where he can, Richard is more reclusive; bitter in the decades since a car accident claimed the life of Henry’s mother, and angered that Henry can still see her when he travels but ultimately can’t change the events that claimed her life.

Similar to the television show “Quantum Leap,” the element of science fiction is only present in Henry and his travels. Like any story that bends and weaves the fabric of time, it can be a bit confusing, especially at the onset, but once you grasp what is happening you’ll find it an excellent ride.

“The Time Traveler’s Wife” is a true love story, hashed out in a most unusual way. The acting is great and the scenes are memorable. And if you don’t find your eyes welling up at times, you’re simply incapable of emotion.

by – Matt Christopher