OK for kids 15+
Tearjerker is too gloomy for tweens and younger teens.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this tearjerker, though romantic, may prove too gloomy for tweens and younger teens. The central couple shares a powerful love, but their relationship is constantly tested, sometimes to the breaking point, and there are few moments of levity. Expect some nudity (though primarily in a non-sexual context), swearing ("s--t" is the strongest word used), and a few bloody, though not gory, scenes. There’s also discussion of heavy topics like free will, miscarriage, death, and losing a parent.
- Families can talk about what keeps Clare and Henry connected despite all of their difficulties. Is their life together believable? Would Clare really stay with Henry when he's so unpredictable? How does their relationship compare to other movie pairings you've seen?
- Does the film handle the topic of time travel believably (as much as is possible, that is)? Does it seem like a benefit or a curse?
- If you've read the book, how do you think the movie compares? What are some of your favorite books-turned-movies?
The good stuff
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Messages: Though parts of the film are quite gloomy, there’s an overall sense that life is full of meaning and love. Clare adores Henry as he is and not as she imagines him to be, which is admirable.
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Role models: Clare and Henry are devoted to each other, despite the huge challenges they face. They do quarrel and pull away from each other at times, but inevitably, love wins out. Henry commits some petty crimes (stealing, breaking and entering, cheating) out of necessity due to his condition -- he doesn't shy away from doing these things, but it's clear that he wishes he didn't have to. You could argue that Henry manipulates Clare's life unfairly, but for the most part she doesn't seem to mind.
What to watch for
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Violence: Early in the movie, there are some perilous/fiery scenes of an intense car accident. There's also some fistfighting (with some injuries), and a man is shot and is shown bleeding. Characters hunt with rifles. A woman bleeds heavily during a miscarriage. A man gets slapped after speaking harshly to a woman.
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Sex: A couple gets in bed a few times and is shown passionately kissing and caressing each other; they later appear below the sheets with their shoulders bared -- when she gets out of bed, you see her naked from the rear (including buttocks). Several shots of Henry naked from behind/sideways, but the only sensitive body part shown is his buttocks. One scene shows Clare in the bath, but only her stomach and extremities are visible.
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Language: Language includes "s--t" (several times, often as a reaction to seeing Henry disappear for the first time...), "a--hole," "damn," "hell," "goddamn," "son of a bitch," and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Two characters are chided for drinking too much, though both seem to recover/give it up. Some social drinking (wine, beer, etc.) by adults.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
i soooo wanted to LOVE this movie by yelzalot
I waited years for this movie to come out... YEARS! And as much as I wanted to LOVE it, I was sort of let down. :( I'm a HUGE fan of the book, so of course I had high expectations. I know that movies never do books justice, but I figured that since they had Eric Bana & Rachel McAdams, they could do no wrong. But I guess actors can't carry the weight of the entire movie on their shoulders alone... I don't know, maybe it was the awful score or the so-so directing, but there was something lacking in the movie. Don't get me wrong, Bana & McAdams were totally believable as Henry & Clare, but again... it's impossible to put the weight of the entire movie on them. I do know that the secondary characters did not play as big a role as they all should have, because in order to fully know the complexity of Clare & Henry you must know the other characters as well...
There were some heart wrenching moments that got the waterworks going... But over all, I'd give the movie a C+, B- at best.
5
Good movie about true love by FloridaMom48
Yes I read the book and, no, the movie does not live up to the book. It irks me to no end when people complain that a movie does not have every scene or thought found in the book. Unless you want to spend 4-6 hours in the theater then you have to expect that any movie based on a book is going to be missing some items folks. They have to cut stuff out. If movies are to long then people complain about that. Enough said, now let's get to the movie itself.
That being said, I felt that the movie version of Henry & Claire's love story was well done. True some things could have been better. But I came out of the theater feeling that my money had been well spent and how many movies can you say that about these days? Plus I took my 18 year old daughter with me, who originally did NOT want to go see this movie, and she LOVED it. I will say that my daughter guessed the ending well before I thought she would.
Bana and McAdams were great and convincing. Do yourself a favor and go!
4
Just saw the film by SoCal_
I read the book several years ago. My wife has not. I have been looking forward to seeing the film even though I'm usually disappointed when I have read the book first. This was not the case with this film. I think it is a very good story even with events and character development that was not included. Unless your heart has turned to stone, this story will touch you. My wife says to take tissue.
3
Book is WAY better...FYI this review may spoil movie by EdisonMama
I know they have to change stories to make them movie ready but MAN, I was so disappointed. They cut so much from the back story to cram it all into the 1hr 40min that they lost the great parts that made it a good love story. They didn?t mention all the times Henry visited Claire as she grew up, the incident with Jason (who hit her as a teen), meeting her friends by accident or her 18th Birthday event. They cut characters like Kimy, Nell, Ingrid and Claire?s siblings, the story of her mom?s issues and her background with Gomez. They skipped over meeting the parents, changed how Henry gets Dr Kendrick on his side, changed what Alba looked like and his hypothermia outcome. They just rushed through the whole story and butchered it for anyone who may have even LIKED the book.
If I didn't read the book it may have gotten an OK review
1
Time Traveler's Disappoints by iluvchickflicks5683
DO NOT go see this movie if you have read the book. I was sooo horribly disappointed when I walked out of the theater...in fact I was pretty mad. The book was amazing and is definitely probably by far my favorite book ever (and I read a lot) and I cannot believe that Audrey let them make the movie like that. I was so excited to see this movie that right when I finished the book I went out and saw the movie the next day. They left out 2 important characters, a lot of intense scenes that were crucial to the plot, and all around the movie was choppy and made no sense. They hurried the entire story line and left me mad. READ THE BOOK, DON'T WATCH THE MOVIE.
P.S. And I love Rachel McAdams, and she just wasn't enough this time.
4
Time Traveler's Wife by LadyBug630
This movie has a really amazing and romantic love story. Eric Bana and Rachel Mcadams are really cute together and they have great chemistry. As far as the story line, I didn't like certain things, but the chemistry between the two actors was so good that I enjoyed the movie just because of them. Overall, the acting was amazing, the cinematography was good, and the storyline was okay. I believe this is a movie for all ages, although kids might not understand the significance of it. All in all this was an amazing movie, and it's a must see.
5
Time Travelers Wife by sky8writer
I was surprised when critics gave this mediocre reviews, sometimes worse. I was even more surprised when I actually saw the movie. I had read and liked the book and had no trouble following it. My wife, who had not read the book, had no problem either. We both gave the film 2 thumbs up.
The adaptation from the book was surprisingly good. The casting, acting and visual appearance were excellent. So, just like any other movie, the question is: do you like the story. If a little time travel, drama and romance are your thing, then you will like this movie. If you are expecting a ScFi action film, it will be a bit slow for you.
It's just a matter of matching audience and movie. So, if this sounds like something you might like, then look at my raiting: Must Go!
4
greaat story by movieaddict17
this was a great movie to say at least. the twists in the plot and axiety waiting for things you know are going to happen but hoping that they won't come to pass. knowing the future is hard and probabaly took a lot out of the character in this film. i would reccomend this to anyone. it was very well done
3
Read the book instead by suemarie
I loved the book, so maybe my expectations were too high.
It's a love story about a couple that have to live with his involuntary time traveling.
My favorite vision from the book wasn't included. I was very disappointed.
The acting is not so good either. Eric Bana using an American accent just doesn't work.
5
A GREAT tearjerker by bswigart
This movie was SO SAD! But, I really loved it. It was a great movie. I love Rachel McAdams though, and she was wonderful as usual! ;)
I definitely recommend this movie for others to see, but bring tissues!!