Movie Review: "The Time Traveler's Wife"

Thanks to Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog, I was able to get sneak preview passes to see this movie. Which was totally awesome since a) movie tickets in the DC Metro area are expensive so I probably wouldn't have seen this movie til it came out on DVD and b) we got to go to a part of DC we hadn't been before yet which was really nice and c) the day before our car had gotten broken into and our GPS unit stolen. Even more fun was that I got to sit next to Jenn from Jenn's Bookshelves as she had gotten passes too. I brought my husband along because he's not one to pass up a free movie. He didn't mind going to see a chick flick, after all he added the Romance Writers of America Literacy signing with me. I'm one of the few people who haven't read this book yet, so I honestly had no idea what to expect going into to the movie. Other than the trailer, I was pretty clueless about the storyline.

I discussed this with my husband on the way home and we both agreed that while we liked the movie, there seemed to be something off about the movie. One thing we both thought was extremely weird was the fact that no one at all thinks it's a bit scary that a naked guy (wrapped in a blanket yes but naked still) is hanging around a little girl. She doesn't seem to question this at all and is more than willing to become his friend. I don't think that's a lesson you really want to be teaching your kids (not that kids should be watching this movie) especially in this day and age. Also the whole time traveling thing is a bit sketchy. It probably comes off better in the book as things are more explained in detail. As it is in the movie, it's hard to describe it and comes off a bit confusing especially when two versions of Henry seem to appear right after each other. The ending apparently is different from what is in the book from what I heard. I don't want to spoil it but I have a feeling that Clare is going to do exactly what Henry told her not to. Oh and something that we both thought was rather odd: the scene in the diner when Clare starts to miscarry and notices blood on her fingers. She's wearing pants (I think they were jeans) yet when she looks at her hand, they were completely wet with blood. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but unless she's been bleeding profusely for a long time and just didn't notice it, even a big gush of blood wouldn't bleed out through the pants and make a puddle there. How then did she check? Reach in?

There's nothing really bad about the movie. I did enjoy it. I would have to say my two favorite scenes are when Henry goes back and see his mother on the train and then again when he first meets his daughter. Both were very touching. I thought the acting was done really well. Nothing Oscar worthy but still pleasant. I'm a huge fan of Eric Bana and I like Rachel McAdams. I thought they had really good chemistry together. The girls that plays their daughter are absolutely adorable and are sisters in real life. I did feel though that Ron Livingston in his character was pretty much a waste. I say this b/c Ron is a pretty big actor and he didn't do much in his role. He had maybe 1 or 2 stand out scenes but honestly they could have cast a no name guy in the role and it wouldn't have made a difference. One thing I was extremely disappointed was that I never got teary eyed or even sad at all while watching the movie. All around me I hear sniffles and see women wiping their eyes. Me...nothing. Which really bothered me because the trailer looked really sad and I went in the movie expecting a good cry (which I secretly love when going to the movies). I mean I bawl at the end of Return of the Jedi and here I sit completely dry eyed.

Overall I would say it's an enjoyable movie. It's a good chick flick, and one many women will enjoy. There is a bit of rear nudity, but it's from Eric Bana so I don't know any woman who would complain about that.