Review: About Time (2013)

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Review:  🎬 About Time (2013)

 Five by Five

About Time (2013) - A Tender, Uplifting Film That Quietly Teaches Us How to find Happiness


Richard Curtis's About Time is one of those rare films that manages to be both deeply profound and utterly delightful. It's a romantic comedy with the whimsy of science fiction, but it's also a meditation on mortality, regret, and the fleeting nature of time. And yet, through all its emotional weight, the film remains charming, warm, and gently uplifting, like a comforting hand on your shoulder.

Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), an awkward young man with a heart full of hope, discovers that the men in his family can travel back in time. But this isn't a story about rewriting history-it's about rewriting perspective! Curtis uses time travel not as a plot gimmick, but as a lens through which we examine the choices we make, the people we love, and the moments we often overlook.

What makes About Time special and so remarkable is its ability to tackle serious topics-death, disappointment, the inevitability of change-without ever losing its lightness. The film doesn't shy away from grief or loss, but it never wallows. Instead, it gently nudges us toward gratitude, toward joy, toward the king of happiness that's earned through presence and intention.

In fact, the film quietly reveals a kind of secret formula for happiness, beautifully outlined in Cinema Therapy's insightful breakdown:


Prioritize People and Relationships
    • Tim’s journey is not about power or prestige—it’s about love. His relationship with Mary (Rachel McAdams, radiant and grounded) is tender and real, built on shared moments and mutual care. But it’s his bond with his father that anchors the film, reminding us that the most profound connections often lie within our own families.
Live with Integrity
    • He never exploits his gift. He chooses honesty, kindness, and authenticity. His choices reflect a moral compass that values truth, kindness, and respect—qualities that never go out of style.
Put in the Work for What Matters
    • Love and happiness require effort, and Tim embraces that truth. Through awkward dates, missed chances, and quiet sacrifices. The film shows that happiness isn’t handed to us; it’s cultivated through effort and intention.
Have Fun
    • The film is filled with humor and whimsy, reminding us that joy often lives in the absurd. Life is serious, but it's also wonderfully silly. 
Help and Uplift Others
    • Tim uses his gift to make life better for those around him, in small but meaningful ways. The film suggests that happiness grows when we lift others up, even in the smallest ways.
Look for the Moments of Joy
    • A rainy wedding, a quiet walk, a bedtime story—The film shows us that mindfulness comes from embracing the beauty in the small things.
Choose Happiness
    • Ultimately, Tim learns that happiness isn’t about changing the past—it’s about embracing the present.

Bill Nighy’s performance as Tim’s father is a masterclass in subtlety. He brings wisdom, wit, and a quiet melancholy that lingers long after the credits roll. His scenes with Gleeson are among the film’s most moving, especially as they confront the inevitability of goodbye.

About Time is not flashy, and it doesn't need to be. It's a film that invites you to reflect, the breathe, and to cherish. It's a love letter to life itself, and a gentle nudge to live it well.

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