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Canberra Today 20°/24° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Review: ‘About Time’ (M) *** and a half

About Time 2YOU have to hand it to Richard Curtis who, with “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, established a structural formula that he has kept fresh by ringing changes on the dramatic decoration.

Let there be no bleating about “About Time” being old hat, stale or past its use-by date. It decorates the formula with delightful freshness.

During the 21st birthday party for Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), Dad lets him into a secret. All the males in his family have the ability to time travel backward.

Tim’s a bit of a nerd. There’s not a mean bone in his body. His driving desire is not professional success as a lawyer, but to get laid. After several unsuccessful wooings, he meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), pretty, smart, slightly un-self-confident and deliciously woo-able.

Curtis has crafted a lovely family into which Mary marries. Mother Mary (Lindsay Duncan) manages their Cornwall coast house with charm and affection. Uncle (Richard Cordery) is an affable twit with polished good manners. Sister KitKat (Lydia Wilson) is Tim’s best friend. Cousin Harry (Tom Hollander) in London lacks social skills or manners but is good at writing plays.

The element most likely to forgive whatever shortcomings you may find in “About Time” (they will be few) is the laid-back, cool, charming Bill Nighy as Dad. He’s a regular in Curtis’s films and the pair forms a wonderful team. Enjoy.

At all cinemas

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Dougal Macdonald

Dougal Macdonald

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