About Time | Movie Review

 

As a hopeless romantic, perhaps I am biased towards enjoying films directed by the man that also did Love Actually and Notting Hill, ie: Richard Curtis.

When I rented this from my local DVD store, I did so for two reasons. The first being that I was in the mood for a mindless rom-com. I was spending the night in by myself and therefore intended on doing so in real stereotypical 'Girl's Night In' style. The second reason was that I believe any movie starring Rachel McAdams is bound to be good.

I know that you should never judge something from its cover - but I did. From the look of the cover it seemed just like the sort of film I fancied watching that night. I didn't even bother reading the back of the box.

I was so pleasantly surprised by not only the witty and dry British humor - particularly from the effortless and brilliant Bill Nighy, but also by the storyline!

Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson), learns that from the age of 21, all of the men in his family develop the ability to time travel. There are rules to this though, such as they cannot go forward in time - only backwards. They can revisit their past memories by entering a quiet and dark space such as a closet and clenching their fists tightly.

His whole life, Tim's main goal has been to find love. So when he meets the women of his dreams, quirky and  indie-looking Mary (Rachel McAdams) in a Dating in the Dark restaurant he is thrilled. Little does he know that when he travels back in time in order to help out a friend of his it catastrophically ends in him un-meeting her. Now he has to remember as much as he can from their date in the dark to piece together the pieces of her life and discover how he can meet her again.

Inevitably, he does manage to meet her again after a few incredibly cringe worthy situations he gets himself into. Luckily he is able to go back in time and tweak each moment to perfection which wins her heart and they fall in love. 

This is a wonderfully unique romance with the intriguing addition of sci-fi blended in. 

The most beautiful message is brought to the surface nearing the end of the film as Tim learns to live each day to the fullest - to see and appreciate the smallest intricacies that life has to offer and to never take a single moment for granted.

I truly adored this film and the concept behind it.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Movie Review

Two nights ago I sat down with my family (three generations down,) and watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. 

There had been major chit-chat about this new romantic comedy so my expectations were pretty high. 

How could they not be with such a great cast?

Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench to name only a few of the British actors took on rolls of retirees lured to a captivating resort in India. 

Unfortunately they soon discover that the place had been photo-shopped to envision the hopeful future of the hotel upon their arrival.  

Starting out as disapproving, ripped-off golden oldies, slowly they begin to accept the hotel and grow together - making the most of what they have. 

Maggie Smith delivers an excellent roll of a sour, lifeless woman needing a hip transplant with a blatant disregard for anyone that is not white. 

By the end of the film she is a completely transformed and renewed woman and her growth is inspiring. 

Bill Nighy (impossible not to enjoy a film with his hilarious quips in,) is married to Penelope Wilton, a woman who just cannot accept the dreams of galivanting around trying to relive their youth. 

She is constantly putting everybody down and sucking the life and energy dry from Nighy - who eventually sods it and does his own thing. 

Judi Dench plays a recently widowed woman who had never done anything by herself and so she gains independence through her journey, teaching and exploring in India; proving to herself that it is possible to live without her hubby.

It does tend to twinge a few of those sensitive heartstrings...

John Madden (the director,) portrays India to a 'T' - from the hustle and bustle to the cultural aspects; I felt as though I had been there myself. 

This movie is a wonderful reminder that it is never too late to change your life.

It manages to explain over eight life situations which at the time seem impossible to change; yet as the movie unfolds so does the concept of breaking free and living life to the fullest. 

In all honestly this movie did not blow me away right away. I found it extremely long and a little slow -paced - but the messages it left me with afterwards changed my mind.

It was touching and compassionate and just what I needed to be reminded of right now. 

The film actually reminds me of a status I used on Facebook just a few weeks ago:

Let go and grow!