About time a romantic comedy arrived in 2013, there have been far too few

Rating: 8/10 (14 November 2013)

Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) is surprised when his father (Bill Nighy) asks for a private chat on his, Tim's, 21st birthday. Well, it is rather important! That's because all male members of this particular family inherits a nifty aptitude on this all-important year. Now, Tim will be able to "time travel" back to past years and relive, possibly change, certain happenings. Whoa, is this true? Yes indeed. At once, Tim remembers a dreadful New Yeat's party where the girl he was dancing with wouldn't kiss him, shaking hands instead. Ho, ho, going back, Tim smoothly works his way into a kiss! This is wonderful! But, wait, not so much. When Tim finally leaves his home estate in Cornwall to work as a lawyer in London, he longs to find the girl of his dreams. She soon appears in the form of Mary (Rachel McAdams) and, after a good first meeting, he records her number in his cell phone. Yet, when Tim goes to the flat he shares with a surly playwright, Harry (Tom Hollander), Harry soon tells him that his latest play, that very night, was a disaster, due to a key cast member forgetting his lines. Tim, wanting to help, goes back in time to prompt the actor, making the play a success. But, alas! When he goes back to his phone, Mary's number isn't there, for they NEVER met. Horrors! Doing some quick thinking, Tim remembers a detail of their conversation that helps him find her again. Nice! But, will Tim come to regard his ability as a blessing or a curse? This lovely film from the writer/director, Richard Curtis, of Four Weddings and Notting Hill, is a delight. Its funny, thought-provoking and touching. While Domhnall is not "leading man" handsome or arresting, he does a fine job. McAdams, very beautiful, does wonderfully well as his love interest. Other cast members, including Nighy, Lydia Wilson, and the rest, do great work as well. Praise should go forth to the creators of the costumes, sets, and cinematography as well as a deep bow to Curtis for his, once again, extraordinary vision. The setting in Cornwall is strikingly gorgeous, seaside and fetching to the point of EVERYONE longing to go there at once. Have you, as a romcom fan, been feeling neglected, like me? Remedy that and see About Time. Its truly "about time" that a movie like this comes to town.