Somewhere in Time (1980) – 8/10 – Love and Tyranny of Time
Overall
Somewhere in Time is a romantic tragedy drama based on the 1975 novel ‘Bid Time Return’ by Richard Matheson. I can’t get enough of 1980s movies, my favorite movie decade. Like other 80s films, romance and infatuation create the magical vibe in this one. Christopher Reeve is famous for his two early films: Superman and Somewhere in Time. After having viewed his work, it is a surprise he wasn’t in more films. He passed up offers for various reasons (miscast, poor script, etc). TV shows and Broadway became his bread-and-butter before his spinal cord injury in 1995 left him paralyzed. Movies such as these reveal the talent and potential he had for stardom. Writer Richard Matheson wrote a couple of other esteemed scripts, including I Am Legend and Real Steel. This covers themes that include love transcending time (literally), infatuation, love at first sight, and time.
Would I recommend this?
Yes, it’s worth a watch. Romantic drama isn’t a genre I watch often, but I admired how well this was done. There is something wonderful about this movie. You find yourself captivated by the passion, nostalgia, and romance of both the relationship and its era. The two main characters are likable and have perfect chemistry together. There’s a natural, charming connection that is relatable. The narrative isn’t complex, but its fascination lies in the simplicity. The story is oozing with charm, and easy to appreciate. My rating is 8/10.
Plot (spoiler-free)
Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve), an up-and-coming playwright, spots a vintage portrait hanging in the Grand Hotel he is staying at. The photo is six decades old of a beautiful young actress, Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour). Collier becomes smitten with her and attempts to learn more about her. In his search, he contacts his former college professor, Dr Finney, who once wrote a book on time-travel. After learning how Dr Finney did it, Collier employs the same strategy and ends up in 1912. There, he finds Elise, and they fall for each other. Elise’s manager, Robinson (Christopher Plummer), stands in between.
Interesting tidbits
Somewhere in Time flopped in the USA, but it became a hit in Asia. Reeve’s agent declined the film, but the producer bypassed the agent and sent Reeve the screenplay. Reeve loved the script and accepted the role. Seymour and Reeve fell in actual love while doing this movie, but he had to let her go because his ex-girlfriend was pregnant. He returned to his ex-girlfriend out of obligation. They shot the movie on Mackinac Island, Michigan, which prohibits cars. The crew received special permission to bring cars on-site. Reeve was a licensed pilot and had his private airplane nearby. He and Seymour often went on flying trips between filming.
Technicals
Somewhere in Time features a strange time-travel technique, but focuses on genuine connection and affection between the two. The performances, direction, script, 1910s costume design, background score, camera work, and cinematography are eye-popping. I entered as a sci-fi fan and left with something different that pleasantly surprised me. The surreal romantic sensation touches your soul and leaves you feeling. Both Reeve and Seymour are extremely talented, leaving you mesmerized in every scene. Young Seymour looks sensational, making you understand why Collier fell head over heels for her character. Reeve, though typecast as Superman, was versatile and charismatic in his work here. The details and settings were superb. There were several flaws. First, the time-travel process made little sense. It’s paradoxical and never addressed. Once you get past the illogical bit, the story will pull you in. Second, the ending left us with many unanswered questions. I am unsure whether the writer could have sufficiently answered them. Finally, there are clichés throughout, but they don’t hinder your satisfaction. You must overlook the blemishes to enjoy the magic of love.
*Obtained trivia facts from IMDb’s trivia page and plot/basic history/name information from Wiki
