Based on the novel "Time Bid Return" written by Richard Matheson, this film blends romance with a sprinkling of science fiction quite well. I think they did a very good job translating the book to screen as I have read the book.
Christopher Reeve plays playwright Richard Collier. He is just unable to pen out his next winner. So he goes on a little trip to clear his mind. He ends up at the Grand Hotel and it is there that he sees the most beautiful, captivating and spellbinding picture in his life. It is a photo of an actress named Elise McKenna played by Jane Seymour. He becomes obsessed with her to put it lightly and after some research decides to do a little time travel to meet the woman of his dreams. Now, it may sound a little silly, but Reeve is excellent and is able to bring this story that may border upon ridiculous to come to life and believably. Once getting to the past in 1912 Seymour is also excellent in her portrayal of the lonely and gifted actress. Christopher Plummer, who is always excellent plays her manager W.F. Robinson.
The music to the film by John Barry alone makes the film worth seeking out and viewing. Not sure how it wasn't even nominated for an Oscar. It mixes new material with old, but the music is well...perfect to what you are seeing on screen. It is a huge plus and they hit a homerun in the music department.
It is also awesome to see Reeve trying to shake his Superman persona. He does an excellent job in doing so and really he shakes off the cape and boots. Sadly the film did not perform amazingly at the box office, just adding to the list of really good movies from the early 80s that did not perform as they should have at the box office. This might in fact be a good date movie. It looks as if the film though has found a nice fan base as it is quite highly rated with over 25,000 votes here on this site.
I am not one for sappy, overdone romance movies, but hey I really liked this movie. So, if you like Reeve, want to see something a little different or are yes a romance fan give it a shot. Also starring Teresa Wright, look quick for W.H. Macy in the opening scene and also in a cameo is the author of the novel and screenplay Richard Matheson.
Christopher Reeve plays playwright Richard Collier. He is just unable to pen out his next winner. So he goes on a little trip to clear his mind. He ends up at the Grand Hotel and it is there that he sees the most beautiful, captivating and spellbinding picture in his life. It is a photo of an actress named Elise McKenna played by Jane Seymour. He becomes obsessed with her to put it lightly and after some research decides to do a little time travel to meet the woman of his dreams. Now, it may sound a little silly, but Reeve is excellent and is able to bring this story that may border upon ridiculous to come to life and believably. Once getting to the past in 1912 Seymour is also excellent in her portrayal of the lonely and gifted actress. Christopher Plummer, who is always excellent plays her manager W.F. Robinson.
The music to the film by John Barry alone makes the film worth seeking out and viewing. Not sure how it wasn't even nominated for an Oscar. It mixes new material with old, but the music is well...perfect to what you are seeing on screen. It is a huge plus and they hit a homerun in the music department.
It is also awesome to see Reeve trying to shake his Superman persona. He does an excellent job in doing so and really he shakes off the cape and boots. Sadly the film did not perform amazingly at the box office, just adding to the list of really good movies from the early 80s that did not perform as they should have at the box office. This might in fact be a good date movie. It looks as if the film though has found a nice fan base as it is quite highly rated with over 25,000 votes here on this site.
I am not one for sappy, overdone romance movies, but hey I really liked this movie. So, if you like Reeve, want to see something a little different or are yes a romance fan give it a shot. Also starring Teresa Wright, look quick for W.H. Macy in the opening scene and also in a cameo is the author of the novel and screenplay Richard Matheson.