An intriguing set of new rules for time travel . . .

Rating: 10/10 (26 October 2013)

. . . graces this import from Britain, the best movie about flipping one's chronology since last year's SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED. Both of these films put thoughtful and creative new spins on time travel, which is necessary when the majority of the films made in this genre lack coherence and internal consistency. While there may be a point or two to quibble over regarding ABOUT TIME (my main sticking point being the mid-movie appearance of "Boy Posy"--undoing that snafu seems like closing the barn door after the livestock has escaped; it's generally tougher to push toothpaste back into the tube), the excellence of the acting performances tends to smooth over any such rough patches. Long-time British A-lister Brendan Gleeson's son Domhnall is a revelation in the lead role of Tim, and Bill Nighy (he of the octopus beard in the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN franchise) looks more like a screen-match dad for Tim than Brendan would have been, plus he pulls his role off with a level of tenderness not seen in most of the screen parts played by Domhnall's real-life father (frequently cast as a "heavy"). ABOUT TIME is NOT for those who forget their hankies, but it IS a great date flick!