The Extraordinary Ordinary: A Review of “About Time”

The Extraordinary Ordinary

Richard Curtis, the mind behind Love Actually, brings something quietly brilliant to About Time. Sure, it’s technically a time-travel movie, but don’t expect any mind-bending sci-fi twists. Instead, it leans into something far more grounded—messy family dinners, rainy wedding days, the tiny, beautiful details that usually slip by unnoticed. That’s exactly what makes it stick.

With a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear About Time struck a chord—but numbers don’t quite capture the way this film gently nudges you to pause, look around, and really see your life.

Growth Isn’t Always Flashy

Tim (Domhnall Gleeson)’s journey isn’t loud or dramatic. It’s slow, a little clumsy, and all the more real for it. He starts off as this sweet, awkward guy, fumbling through dates and dodging cringe-worthy situations. But by the end, you see someone who’s learned—deeply—what it means to be with someone, to love them, flaws and all.

His growth comes from love, yes, but also from grief. The eventual goodbye he faces with his father (Bill Nighy) is gentle, inevitable, and quietly devastating. It’s a reminder that life moves forward whether we’re ready or not, and the best we can do is savor it while we can.

Choices, Ripples, and What Really Matters

One moment that lingers is when Tim tries to undo a traumatic event in his sister Kit Kat (Lydia Wilson)’s life. What seems like a simple fix spirals into unintended consequences—including erasing his daughter from existence. It’s a gut-punch, and it lands. Even with time travel, Tim can’t save everyone. Every choice carries weight. Every action leaves a mark.

In the end, it’s not about controlling life. It’s about showing up for it.

So, What Makes About Time So Special?

It’s not flashy. It’s not trying to reinvent cinema. But it’s honest in a way that sneaks up on you. The time-travel mechanics barely matter. What matters are the quiet laughs, the missteps we learn from, and the unexpected love that shows up when we’re not even looking.

Richard Curtis never lets the story feel preachy or overdone. The emotional moments unfold naturally, with just the right amount of humor and heart.

In a sea of romantic comedies and sci-fi dramas, About Time quietly stands apart—not by being bigger, but by being more human. And honestly, that’s the kind of film that stays with you.

A Personal Reflection

Honestly, I watched About Time not expecting much beyond a charming rom-com. What I got instead was something far more tender, unexpectedly profound, and a little life-changing. It’s one of those rare films that gently sneaks up on you with its emotional weight—never loud or flashy, but deeply resonant in its simplicity.

What struck me most was how Richard Curtis uses time travel not as a gimmick, but as a lens to focus on life’s fleeting beauty. Tim uses his gift not for wealth or fame, but to fall in love, fix awkward conversations, help his family, and eventually, to learn how to live each day with intention—even without going back.

By the end, I found myself unexpectedly emotional. Not because the film was sad in the traditional sense, but because it reminded me of the small, everyday miracles we often overlook. A walk on a rainy street. A moment of laughter that feels like it could last forever.

About Time isn’t perfect—but that’s the point, isn’t it? Life isn’t either. And if a film can make you want to hug your parents, text your friends, and take a deep breath before rushing through your day, then maybe it’s done something really special.

For the Dreamers Who Loved About Time

If About Time left you with a full heart and maybe a tear or two, you’re not alone. It’s one of those rare films that manages to mix love, time travel, and everyday life into something quietly profound. If you’re looking to chase that same feeling again—something tender, thoughtful, and a little bit magical—here are three films that carry a similar emotional weight and warmth.

1. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

A beautifully shot and quietly powerful film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is about stepping out of your head and into the real, unpredictable rhythm of life. It’s a quiet reminder to slow down, be present, and stop waiting for life to feel perfect before you start living it. With stunning visuals and a heart full of wonder, this one lingers long after it ends.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Darker, stranger, but deeply moving. This one explores memory and love in a completely different way—through a surreal story of a couple who try to erase each other from their minds. But as the memories fade, what remains is the truth: the pain, the joy, the mess—it’s all part of what makes connection real. Like About Time, it asks us to consider what we’d change if we could… and whether we should at all.

3. The Family Man (2000)

This one doesn’t involve time travel exactly—but it plays with the same what if? idea in a deeply emotional way. Nicolas Cage stars as a high-flying bachelor who wakes up one morning to find himself living an alternate version of his life: suburban home, two kids, a loving wife he left behind. As he stumbles through this unexpected reality, what unfolds is a heartfelt exploration of love, sacrifice, and the quiet beauty of choosing connection over ambition. Like About Time, it gently nudges us to look at the life we have—and maybe see it differently.