“Somewhere in Time” was recommended by my brother, John. I tend to avoid romance as a genre, but this 1980 film piqued my interest with its twist on the standard sappy affair.
It stars two legends of film: Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. And it’s based on the writings of Richard Matheson, a personal favorite. Matheson was one of the primary writers of ‘The Twilight Zone’ and TZ fingerprints litter this production.
Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) is a playwright. To cure a bout of writer’s block he ventures to the beautiful Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island. At the historic resort, Collier becomes obsessed with a photograph of Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour) a stage actress from the early 1900s.
The details of the plot revolve around Richard using self-hypnosis to travel back in time to 1912 to meet Elise. We’ve all seen photographs from decades ago and become enchanted. Think “Midnight in Paris” science. Don’t let explanation be a barrier to watching. Enjoy the movie for what it is.
Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour display their top-tier acting chops. Both characters are likeable, albeit one-dimensional. Reeve is a true leading man in 1980 Hollywood. Seymour has a limitless beauty that radiates from the screen, and a timeless look that plausibly puts her on a theater stage in 1912. Together they make a picture-perfect couple.
Bill Erwin of ‘Seinfeld’ fame plays the charming caretaker of the resort. Stage star Christopher Plummer completes the cast as Elise’s manager.
The Grand Hotel
The movie was filmed on location at the Grand Hotel. Its lakeside beauty and historic ambiance become a character in the story on their own. I can only assume numerous films have been set at this location, and rightfully so. The haunting vintage photos on the wall conjured thoughts of this being the perfect setting for a horror film in the mode of “The Shining” but romance is equally embodied.
The music that accompanies every scene is a true benefit to the film. Composer John Barry and pianist Roger Williams lend a perfect ambiance of sounds to set the mood. It’s a classical blend that fits in with the old timey setting, the historic hotel, and the mystique of 1900s entertainment.
As previously stated, fans of The Twilight Zone will easily spot where Richard Matheson drew his influences for the screenplay. Like many TZ episodes, “Somewhere in Time” is a bit one-note. The initial idea was hatched, and a story was written around it. The time travelling element is unique but thinly explored once its implemented. It would have benefited from a trim in the editing room, and the run time is only 103 minutes. And the ending felt rushed. TZ fans will understand when I say it reminded me of Season 4.
Robbed of a Great Talent
It’s surprising that “Somewhere in Time” is the first Christopher Reeve movie I have watched. He’s best known for playing Superman, and the tragic accident that ultimately ended his life too soon. It was nice reading that Reeve was an activist for worthy causes, including human-rights, artistic freedom of expression, and the environment.
After his accident, Reeve became an advocate for healthcare improvement and people with disabilities. Hollywood and its fanbase was robbed of what should have been a much longer career.
“Somewhere in Time” is an unheralded film. It offers a mix of romance and fantasy, taking great actors and putting them in an amazing setting.
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