Somewhere in Time

SCRIBE'S YOU DON'T KNOW ME BUT YOU WILL REVIEW:

Hard to believe, but it’s nearly thirty years since “Somewhere in Time” was released.
So many women love this movie I am often caught off-guard when I meet one who has never heard of it. Still, this not what is so eloquently referred to these days as a “chick flick.”

Featuring a script by master storyteller Richard Matheson who also gave us numerous brilliant Twilight Zone episodes along with the novels upon which I Am Legend, Stir of Echoes and What Dreams May Come were based on, this is as much a novel about people in a universe they wish to control as it is love.

When young playwright Richard Collier (Reeve) premieres his first play in the early 1970’s, a mysterious elderly woman approaches him and hands him a stop watch. “Come back to me,” she says and turns away as tears sting her face. Collier has a moment to wonder at her identity before the congratulations pull him away.

Cut to an older Richard in 1980, now a successful playwright and emotional wreck. His love life is in a shambles and his career isn’t fulfilling. It doesn’t take a shrink to see he has a hole right through his center. After a bad break-up, Richard decides to take a vacation and drives from Chicago to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac (pronounced “Mackinaw”) Island. If you’ve ever been there, you know the island is a huge step backwards in time to somewhere around the turn of the Twentieth century. In real life, no cars are permitted there but the film crew was allowed to place a few in the background and have Reeve drive around.

The film makes it obvious that Collier feels compelled to stay at this hotel and soon we find out why. A photo in a room filled with early Twentieth Century memorabilia (a room that didn’t exist at the hotel until after the film was made and looks exactly like what you see) displays a picture of a young, hot Jane Seymour in 1912 when she was at the grand Hotel as an actress on stage.

Collier’s obsession with this photo is the beginning of what ultimately resulted in his visitation at the premiere 9 years ago but he can’t help himself. Soon he’s researching the actress Elise McKenna and discovering that he may just have met her…in 1912.

"Somewhere in Time" is a film in the tradition of European romances laced with tragic undertones and fatalistic situations. Sadly, it was released during a time when audiences either wanted gritty realism or blockbusters. The subtlety of this film and its performances did not connect with the thrill hungry audiences of 1980. Even some critics weren’t kind. However the rise of cable TV changed all that. Suddenly this little gem was rediscovered and created a whole generation of fans.

"Somewhere in Time" has become something of a phenomenon. The Grand Hotel actually holds an annual formal convention where people come from all over the world to meet the surviving stars of the film. Anywhere you go on the island you can find copies of Matheson’s very different novel and a fan’s sequel to the movie in book form. Some people love the phenomenon; some strive to be different by making sure you know seeing Jane Seymour in bike shorts is no big deal. It has become a cottage industry.

The film itself features wonderful and understated performances by Reeve and Seymour, but Christopher Plummer is the scene-stealer as Elise McKenna’s benefactor who may know more than he lets on. The fact that Mackinac Island hasn’t changed since the 1800’s lends a much-needed authenticity to the film and the characters. The musical score by John Barry is hauntingly beautiful, the perfect companion to a tale that seems to be about true love but hints at tragedy on the horizon.

While female audiences tend to connect to to the love story, there is much more to the film. The time travel theories alone are fascinating enough to sustain the film’s premise.

Be forewarned, however. This is not a cookie cutter happy ending Hollywood production. I don’t advise watching the film if you’re depressed. I’ve made that mistake and was despondent for days. But if you’re in the right frame of mind and looking for something that has several dimensions to it, this film is required viewing. It’s also a film one needs to watch more than once to truly appreciate it. This is coming from someone who absolutely hated it at one time. I was wrong.

**** out of *****

GREEN’S THAT’S NOT IN THE SCRIPT REVIEW:

After the close of his first play, in May 1972, young playwright Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) is approached by a mysterious old woman who hands him a gold pocket watch and pleads him to “come back to me.” She turns around and walks away, leaving Collier baffled. Flash forward eight years, to 1980...

Scribe does a good job describing the basic story, so I won’t repeat it again.

I had never heard of this movie until about three or four months ago when I noticed on the DVD sale rack at Borders. I know what you’re thinking: 'There was a sale at Borders? Wow!' Anyway, I picked up the DVD to examine it, noticing that Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour were on the cover. I read the back of the case and the description looked interesting, so I bought it. I’ve since watched the movie twice, including last night as a refresher for writing this review.

Superman and Superman II were great movies in which Reeve did a phenomenal job. Come to find out that this is the project Reeve took up in between donning the red cape and blue tights. Such a shame that Reeve’s career and life were cut short due to complications from his riding accident. I’ve been a fan of Jane Seymour’s acting since I saw her in a bit part in the original Battlestar Galactica television series. Christopher Plummer is indeed a scene stealer as W.F. Robinson, the guardian/manager of young actress Elise McKenna. Both Reeve and Seymour give subtly brilliant performances in contrast to Plummer’s character who reminds me of a bull in a china shop. Seymour, dressed in period attire, reminds me of a china doll. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

When the author of the source material also writes the screenplay, the story itself is usually stronger because of it, since the author knows his story better than anyone. Such is the case here. John Barry's musical score is tasteful and adds depth to the film.

I’ve always had a fondness for movies that deal with the concept of time travel. The premise that you can achieve it by self-hypnosis, with out the aid of any contrived "time machine," is a novel concept that has to be played perfectly or it won’t seem plausible. But it works here - brilliantly. Add to the fact that you’ve got a powerful, timeless, yet tragic love story and you’re looking at a very unique combination of genres.

The collector’s edition DVD I watched has an excellent documentary on the making of the film, which includes interviews from cast and crew.

If you haven’t watched this film in a long time, you should. If you’ve never seen this film at all, you should. This is a wonderful movie, which can be had for less than $10.

****½ out of *****