About Time The Movie - Lessons on Living in the Present

"It may not be a perfect day, don't lose heart, don't give up, give each day a chance to start; even when rain clouds gather see the blessings" - Eclectic Panda

I watched the movie 'About Time' for the 5th time today. To say I love the movie would be understatement. It's about Tim (Domhnall Gleeson - how did he cope in school with such a name?) who from the age of 21 discovers that the men in his family can travel back in time; if they go into a dark space (i.e. wardrobes) and clench their fists, and think about the time or moment they want to return to. This movie had me at romance and time travel! Anyway, Tim meets Mary (Rachel McAdams) and falls for her and she for him (although he used his powers to aid and progress the relationship - sneaky!).

Re-watching it had me fantasizing about what I would do had I the power or ability to travel back in time to some of my most memorable moments. I actually listed the moments I would love to re-live and here they are:

• I would go back to that time we went to the beach with mom in her Cressida and I in my pocahontas two piece, bucket and spade; which were tools for building sand castles (I was pathetic at this by the way, I was 5 afterall);

• I would hold my dad's hand tighter when he taught me to waltz one day at a braai held at a family friends house. It was the first and last time I danced with my father;

• I'd go back to the days we used to go to Waterworld, and I got to go on the grown up rides with my dad;

• And I would go back to most of the moments with my mother, hold her tighter and kiss her.

If only there were a wardrobe that took me back in time and not to Narnia (although I wouldn't mind that either). If only I could go back to those precious moments, but there are no special powers or any wardrobes to take me back to the times I long for.

Enough with the what ifs.

This time around I appreciated the movie a lot more. I know I can't go back to those moments but I can live wholeheartedly in the present. This is a truth I need to accept , this is the reality - moments, experiences and connections pass; people leave us. We can let go but not forget; when I feel nostalgic it's hard for me to pull myself back to the present and not get stuck in the past but a wise person (OT - Occupational Therapist) once said 'being stuck in the past is depression, being stuck in the future is anxiety however, living in the present brings peace of mind'. It's not easy that's why they say healing and growth isn't a linear process.

Life has taught me some harsh lessons and one of them is that we never have enough time because we can not predict the future; unforeseen occurences befall us all. Therefore, be more mindful and live in the present.

Enough about me, now back to the movie! Here is a review with a zany twist:

Q: Who was my favourite character other than the obvious main lead(s) / protagonist(s)?

A: I absolutely loved uncle Desmond, he brought the comedic relief or element to the movie, his one liners always had me in stitches.

Q: Who was my second favourite character?

A: This one is easy. The relatable Kit Kat (Katherine). Although the movie did not delve too deeply into Kit Kat's mental health issues, we were aware she struggled with it. She couldn't hold down a job, stayed in a toxic relationship, 'drank wine like it was tea', she was a beautiful mess. In one of the scenes she is speaking to uncle Desmond saying that the men in her life always take liberties and give nothing in return, my heart ached (darn Jimmy Kincade!). Many of us give too much of ourselves in all relationships (whether romantic, family or friendships), but we can only give from our surplus and not when we ourselves are running low.

Also, when she says she is the faller of the family, the one who does not make the grade, who stumbles, I legit can relate. We need to support the faller's and not judge; because we all fall and stumble sometimes.

Side bar - we tend to not give 2nd or 3rd lead characters much credit which they deserve because they make the main leads shine with their brilliant performances. I mean Bill Nighy as dad gave such a great performance.

Q: What was my favourite scene?

A: Had to be the wedding scene, with them caught in the rain, wind and chaos with everyone running and some falling....yet they were all still smiling and laughing through it all; although their 'perfect day' was seemingly ruined. The tent / marquee was blown away and the wedding cake just stood there in the midst of the chaos (I felt that - cake gone to waste).

Not everything in life goes as planned and we may not have control over it sometimes but what we can do is choose to be negative or choose to see the positive in it all and laugh through it all. In Zulu they usually say "kuhlekwa noma kufiwe" which translates to "even through death we smile or we laugh through difficult situations".

A: My other favourite scene was when Tim, Mary and Katherine come back to Cornwall after hearing of dads passing; mom (also named Mary) opens the door and says "I am $#$%&^* (enter expletive of choice) furious....I am uninterested in a life without your father"; I can relate more so now than ever. I myself still don't know how to live in a world without my parents, life is uninteresting.

Q: Top 3 Original Soundtracks from the movie?

• Gold in them hills by Ron Sexsmith

• How long will I love you by Jon Boden

• The luckiest by Ben Folds

Q: Favourite Quotes:

• "Live life as if there were no second chances"

• "I try to live everyday as if I've deliberately come back to this one, to enjoy it , as if it was the final full day of my extraordinary, ordinary life"

• "Some days you want to re-live forever"

• “Suddenly, time travel seems almost unnecessary, because every detail of life is so delightful"

Summary:

Genre: Romantic comedy, fantasy, time travel

Plot: 9/10 - it was so well written

Acting: 10/10 - all the actors did an awesome job because you fell in love with each one (except for Jimmy Kincade he was a cad!)

Re-watchable?: Yes! A hundred times over (dramatic much?)

Would I recommend it?: Yes and yes!

Let us all live deliberately, remembering each day is a gift not a given right so live wholeheartedly. 'Everyday like yesterday will forever be lost', so live like it were your last. Give your best to God, be kind to one another, be peacable and above all else love one another. "We are all travelling through time together , every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride".

Sincerely,

The Eclectic Panda