Somewhere in Time - 20th Anniversary Edition

Rating:
Summary: If you could turn back time...
Review: ...what would you do? I can't understand why some people don't like Somewhere In Time. It has a different way to those sappy romance stories and being different is always better. It seperates itself from other movies. The way the movie was so interesting and how things came about. Time really worked with the people who made it possible. And the acting. Oh my gosh, the acting is amazing!

Richard Collier is a playright just barely entering the 1980's. He knows something is missing in his life but he just can't place his finger on it. Upon a spur of the moment vacation, he comes across the Grand Hotel which strikes him as inspiring, until it becomes even more with the history of 1912 it has behind it that in fact includes him, even though he is only 29 years old, and along this line, a woman is looking for him.

Though something has occurred along this line in time, Richard knows he has someone waiting for him, and that is he wants to find the woman he's been looking for, he'll have to sacrifice everything he knows and understands completely in the present for him to find his real life in the past, where Elise Mckenna and Richard will find each other in time.

Before Back To The Future even came out, the brilliant Somewhere In Time brought up the thought of time travel without a machine, but only using the power of the mind. It is in fact extremely believable the way it is explained, and how it is done, and that's not easy to do. There was no doubt in my mind throughout the whole thing that he had in fact done it, and the way the whole process was reversed was also incredibly believable.

The acting is amazing by the two very young Christopher Reeve (before his fateful accident) and Jane Seymour. The chemistry between the two is amazing. It made you feel as if they were chosen so perfectly for the parts, they were just meant to play those roles alone. I've seen them in other films, but none nearly as rememberable as in Somewhere in Time. Other fantastic actors such as Bill Erwin, and Christopher Plummer make this an even better movie to think and create an illusion in your own mind that you aren't watching a movie, but a real life story. I'm sure many people can relate to what happens throughout the film.

Even if you didn't like the film, one thing you cannot deny by the whole thing is the amazing music. The Rhapsodey by Rachmoninoff, which was composed by John Barry, created a whole essence to the movie and it's plot all by itself, and you couldn't help but notice it the whole time in the movie. I was really surprised that Rachmoninoff could do something so beautiful instead of always being heard with these loud thumps on the piano.

I just wish more romance movies would tangle with my mind such as Somewhere in Time. I'm only 14 and usually I like more action or horror movies, but in this case, Somewhere In Time did me over so much, the romantic feel to the movie somehow brough the imagination back out in me. Plus, the DVD has a really cool making of documentary on the film, and tells you so much you never knew about the film. It went a long way and still got criticized by reviewers. But I'm glad the public liked it. Even if you don't want to see it, at least see it, and maybe you'll find the romantic feeling within yourself. Don't let time pass you by before you see Somewhere In Time.


Rating:
Summary: I'd rather watch the freezer defrost
Review: OH MY GOODNESS!

I have always thought I would enjoy this movie and when I found it I was happy to finally see the film everyone had been raving about for so long. They were raving alright, stark raving mad!

I can hardly find the words to describe this movie, but I will try. Lackluster, boring, sappy, poorly acted, poorly written, stupid, juvenile, lame, stale and other such adjectives.

I am a fan of Jane Seymour but was disappointed to see her character falling in love with the boyish and sappy man played by Christopher Reeves. Whatever happened to the man of Steel? I can't imagine her EVER falling for his boring and babyish persona.

I was glad when he died. I found his costume ugly and unbelievable and he acting the worst yet. Why on earth go for someone like that when you have Christopher Plummer around? Please! His was the best acting in the film. I still can't believe I sat thought the whole thing. I suppose I kept hoping that it would improve. Sadly I was wrong and it continued to serve up the sap.

I'd rather watch 101 Dalmatians.


Rating:
Summary: It was so silly I laughed!
Review: Let me start by saying that my daughter and I love a good romance movie better than anything. Having said that we thought that this movie reeked! The whole premise of traveling back in time was executed very poorly. Also waiting for C.R. to think himself back in time was so drawn out and boring!!!! C.R'S character seemed so weak that I couldn't imagine being attracted to him. The romance scenes made me laugh because you just couldn't take C.R'S advances seriously, he seemed silly. I don't blame Jane Seymour or Chris Reeves for this. I think the screenplay for it was dreadful and the directing just as bad. If you want to watch something romantic watch "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thomson and Alan Rickman. Now there's a movie worth watching.

Rating:
Summary: "Is It You?"
Review: Ok picture me a young 8 years old... maybe 7. I saw what is still now my most favorite movie of all time. This one. I do not see how people got loop holes in this. I have seen this movie about, (and I am not kidding with this) 200-300 times. There is not a single loop hole in this. The movie shows the boundaries of love. It shows that if u love and believe enough neither Time nor Death will hold it back. If your want to completely understand this movie, and I say this to EVERY person I tell 2 watch this movie, watch it AT least twice. You will not understand it unless u see it at least twice. if u watch it only once u will not get it. The more u see it the more u will get it. This movie is PERFECTION from the soundtrack to the costumes. I almost spent a night in the hotel on Mackenac Island in Elise's room. Until I found out it was over $700 per night. I mean who is going 2 spend that $$$? The movie is a guy that is down and going 2 escape. It opens up at the opening of an aspiring playwrite in college. The opening night was a success. An elderly woman comes up 2 him out of nowhere and puts something in his hand and says: "Come Back To Me". And leaves. Everyone asks who she was and he said he had no idea. He looks in his hand and it is a pocket watch. Several years later he is an accomplished Playwrite but is in a slump. He decides to go on a pseudo vacation. He ends up at this hotel on a whim. He finds a picture. The picture has his attention. He is obsessed with it. The picture draws him in. He asks who it was by a guy that worked there for about 60 years. Arthur says "Elise McKenna that picture was taken in... 1912". Richard decides since he is so drawn to 2 the beauty in the picture he needs 2 find out more. He goes 2 the local library. He researches Elise Mckenna. He finds out she was an actress. One of the most accomplished actresses in the very early 1900's. Volumes and volumes. And he comes across the last picture that was taken of her... it was the woman that gave him the pocket watch a few years ago. I am not going 2 tell u the end it is up 4 u 2 watch. But watch it several times and u will love it also. And this movie actually beats out the book "Bid Time Return". That is VERY odd.

Rating:
Summary: elements of great love story
Review: these elements are sufficient (maybe also necessary) conditions for a great love story.
1. difficulty for lovers. time travel turns out to be of great difficulty, especially to the past. It is nearly impossible. Elise could move close to a black hole and come back so as to travel to the future if she knew that Richard had come from 68 years later. Anyway, it's difficult;

2. "come back to me", "is it you?" words like that;

3. Elise's address to Richard on the stage;

4. Elise's belief that she was going to meet someone near the lake to change her life, which makes "love at first sight" plausible. Such belief of fate for the female part;

5. also many great movies needs time for people to accept them, especially you need to watch it for multiple times to get it and start to love it. so the box office won't be good to start with

P.S.
I initially watched it because someone told me it's a science fiction of time travel by Richard Matheson. I watched it on a 5 inch black-white portable TV connected to my dvd player, since my color tv was occupied for video game only. And, yes, I love the movie. I also read the original book, "Bid Time Return". Planning to visit grand hotel, maybe, room 416. wonder if they still ask you to sign the guest book there.



Rating:
Summary: "Come back to me."
Review: For many this film takes the notion of "soul mates" and pushes it to extremes. We've all experienced at one time or another a "first love". It usually happens in our adolescence, this special relationship may last only weeks and sometimes years, but inevitably, it fades for a variety of reasons, though years can pass, and the thought of them returns when we least expect it - a conversation, a stranger at a restaurant or a song on the radio, all these things can spark their memory. What if there was a way to actually return to that time and see them again as they were...? What if a total stranger approaches you and gives you something, a memento, and asks you to come back to them? Only later you discover a photo of that person and feel with all your heart that you know them. You've never actually met them before, but you just `know' that you've met them somewhere, and you would do anything to see them again.

Somewhere in Time is a fantasy that takes this notion of "lost loves' and turns it into reality. Our protagonist meets his soul mate and becomes so obsessed with seeing her again, that he actually transverses time and space in order to accomplish this. He succeeds, but there's always a catch. This is a sentimental tale that makes no apologies for being so, it is what it is, and maybe that's why it has retained its appeal for so many people over so many years.

The late Christopher Reeves does a fantastic job as the besotted time traveller - a naive, bumbling writer in love with a woman who existed before he was born. He delivers a wonderful performance at that moment when he finally goes back in time. His reaction is nothing less than perfect. When he sees his lost love for the first time at the hotel, the romantic soundtrack flowing in the background, the majority of us set our cynicism aside, and feel the protagonist's excitement and awe... I suppose that is one of the keys to watching this sentimental film, suspending our propensity for cynicism, our world-weariness, and relating to these people whose love for each other knows no bounds.

Chris Reeves will always be remembered as Superman, but for me, this performance as the besotted time traveller in search of his lost love, will always stand out as one of his greatest performances.





Rating:
Summary: Well Done Adaptation of Romatic Time Travel Story
Review: In some ways this review is a little difficult to write because I read the book before seeing the movie and I suspect I would have reacted differently to the movie had I not read the book. Specifically, I don't think I would have liked it.

That said I did like this movie very much. Somewhere in Time is based on the novel Bid Time Adieu by Richard Matheson. The book is now titled Somewhere in Time because of the popularity of the movie.

For those not familiar with either: Richard Collier is a 36-year old writer who falls in love with a beautiful actress - Elise McKenna. But there's one big problem. She's dead. She lived years ago in another time. But that doesn't stop Richard who figures out a way to travel back in time and win her heart. And that is basically all there is to the plot, a romantic love story between two misplaced souls.

The movie is very well written and is, for the most part, true to the book. Of course Richard Matheson, the book's author, wrote the screenplay so that isn't surprising. The good thing about the movie is it moves along at a reasonably nice pace and the mood it evokes is very much like the book - a nostalgic setting and ethereal romance. The lighting, the pace, the set, and the very good acting make the move work.

The stars of the movie were the late Christopher Reeves - whose unruly hair and kind of stiff but gangly bigness make Richard Collier a likeable goof. Jane Seymour was fabulous as Elise McKenna. And Christopher Plummer, in the role of her overbearing manager, played his role to the hilt.

Overall this movie is definitely a thumbs up and one I'm glad I own.


Rating:
Summary: Great Guilty Pleasure!
Review: OK, I know it is corny. I know it is hopelessly romantic. And yes, I know it is a total fantasy. BUT, I am a total sucker for this film. Makes me want to go back in time. And as a theatre junkie, it is a lovely bonus that it is set in and about two people in the theatre as well. Can make even the most jaded cynics shed a tear or two.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Treasure
Review: Wes, you are not alone! More and more I talk with men who are just as entranced with this film as women. This includes my husband (who, granted, is European and naturally romantic) and also a professional classical musician. Guys, you really ought to give this movie a chance. Come on, WHO among you can resist the notion of time travel? Reeve is totally masculine, Seymour utterly feminine, this film is romantic but not wimpy! It's a great "date movie," a great way to reignite romance, a great way to escape, great for whatever! The actors portray the characters with a sincerity that is simply not seen in today's films. Not only sincere, the acting and story are such that the viewer is not only willing -- but EAGER -- to suspend disbelief. The cinematography alone is stunning.

It was *this* film that made Christopher Reeve a Superman, in my and many other, eyes.

I was one of the lucky few who actually saw SIT in the movie theatre/first run. I recently discovered it was in theatres for only a few weeks! I was twenty years old at the time, and this film swept me away. In some ways, unlike Collier, I have never returned. I know I'm not alone!

Interestingly, this film has its own fan club and website. The Grand Hotel even hosts an annual SIT weekend! Talk about a film's staying power!

Ladies -- and definitely gentlemen -- this film is not only a "don't miss," it is something to treasure always.