Why some films use time travel to explore ordinary happiness
In short: What if you could relive every moment of your life twice? In Richard Curtis's 2013 film About Time, the ability to jump through years isn't used for grand adventures or scientific conquest. Instead, it serves as a tool to navigate the messy, mundane pursuit of finding happiness in everyday life.
Director Richard Curtis conceived the film while reflecting on what constitutes an 'ideal day.' Rather than focusing on high-concept science fiction, he wanted to explore how one achieves happiness within ordinary existence. To do this, he added a time-travel mechanic as a narrative device. The production intentionally avoided spectacle; when external effect houses produced visuals that felt too much like a traditional sci-fi movie, the team pivoted to a low-key approach. Curtis describes it as an 'anti-time travel movie' because the mechanics are not meant to solve life's problems, but rather to highlight them.
The film follows Tim Lake, who discovers his family can travel back to moments they have already lived. While he initially tries to use this gift for personal gain—like fixing a play or pursuing a romance—he quickly encounters the limitations of temporal manipulation. He learns that time travel cannot change people's minds or prevent terminal illnesses like his father’s lung cancer. A pivotal moment occurs when Tim realizes that trying to 'fix' his sister's life by preventing an accident actually results in his daughter never being born, illustrating the unpredictable ripple effects of altering the past.
Critically, the film has been polarizing. While some praised its sincerity and chemistry between stars Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams, others criticized it for 'gaping plot-holes' and inconsistent rules. Critics noted that Curtis often breaks his own established logic to facilitate emotional beats, such as an extra hug. Despite these complaints, the film found significant success, particularly in South Korea where it became one of the highest-grossing foreign romantic comedies, reaching over three million viewers.
Ultimately, the narrative concludes with a rejection of the supernatural. Tim's father advises him to live each day twice: once to experience the tensions and worries, and a second time to notice how sweet the world can be. By the end, Tim chooses to stop traveling entirely, deciding that it is better to live life only once, appreciating every moment as if he were experiencing it for the second time.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: About Time (2013 film)
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