About Time

When he turns 21, a young man (Domhnall Gleeson) learns from his father (Bill Nighy) that the family's men can time travel back to moments in their own lives, where they get the chance to correct mistakes—but often with unforeseen consequences. Writer-director Richard Curtis' premise is a bit on the twee side, and he tends to doodle idly with it—running 123 minutes, the movie sometimes threatens to wear out its welcome. But the idea does have its appeal—who wouldn't like a do-over now and then?—and the cast certainly has charm in abundance to compensate for the occasional spinning of wheels. Gleeson (son of Brendan) is clearly going places, and he holds his own with both the ever-reliable Nighy and the always-radiant Rachel McAdams as the true love he keeps meeting, losing and meeting again.