The Time Traveler’s Wife

rating: *

The Time Traveler’s Wife is based on a book by the same name by first-time author Audrey Niffenegger,apparently written at a time when she was disappointed in love. Involving a guy who travels back and forth in time,and in between finds time for a girl who he has loyally hitched to him since she was six,the plot is supposed to be a metaphor for problematic relationships and miscommunications.

So far,so good,and great that Henry (Bana),with the burden of all non-committal men on his shoulders,finds himself stark naked,and without food and money,every time he “disappears” (while the camera gives us generous glimpses of his butt — every time,everywhere — nobody else seems to notice him — anytime,anywhere).

And then Niffenegger pulls out the piece de resistance: Henry’s amazingly non-complaining wife Clare (McAdams) keeps having miscarriages because of,presumably,his “genetic condition” (pardon Niffeneger’s genetics,and the 2.5 million who reportedly bought the book),and so without informing her,he has a vasectomy. Lo and behold,that same night,a younger Henry travels ahead from the past and impregnates Clare,and a healthy baby is made. “It’s not like I cheated on you,” she says.

That one scene sums up all that’s wrong with The Time Traveler’s Wife. Filmed largely in warm,glowing colours,cold,freezing winters and tepid,lukewarm emotions,it seems to have its focus completely askew. While a time traveller who,for one,has witnessed his mother dying in a horrible car crash “hundreds of times”,could be expected to have countless issues,the biggest ones the film is concerned with are pointless,like the lack of clothes.

There are countless scenes of Bana running,breaking in,stealing clothes — almost all of them fit him perfectly by the way,which is either very good news or very bad for an actor — and none of him coping with any of it. For example,does he travel in the geographical proximity of his home,which presumably is Chicago,and why? Or,how does he sustain himself,or keep a job in a public library,where too he lands up naked once in a while?

As for Clare,it’s a hard life. However,except for one or perhaps two flashpoints,and her miscarriages,McAdams keeps those dimples flashing. But,perhaps,we are missing the point here. Difficult as life with Henry surely is,Clare knows she could land a different Henry every time. That could be her little secret.

shalini.langer@expressindia.com