The Time Traveller's Wife

Rating:

* * *

Verdict:

Benjamin Button-lite

Audrey Niffenegger's book

The Time Traveller's Wife

had readers weeping with its tale of a spunky time traveller and his blossoming relationship with the love of his life. While this film adaptation is delicate and dreamy - with a beautiful cast - it does not move its audience in quite the same way.

Henry (Bana) has an awkward condition. He spontaneously time-travels, leaving just a pile of his clothes behind. He goes to criminal lengths to find something to wear, unless he conveniently lands somewhere near Clare (played by McAdams and Proulx) who will have laid out an outfit.

Bana paints a sensitive and encumbered character, but the everyone's-worst-nightmare side of his disorder is downplayed in favour of developing the intense love between Henry and Clare.

They meet when Henry is a grown man and she is a 6-year-old. He, rather creepily, tells her he is from a time in the future where they are together. It's a far-fetched tale but the film fails to build on the intrigue of the plot. There is something too unreal about the way it has been pieced together - sliding back and forth along the timeline of Henry's life - that holds the viewer back from taking an escapist leap into the story.

The McCann sisters, who play daughter Alba at ages 5 and 6 (Tatum) and 9 and 10 (Hailey), are the film's last chance at evoking the heartache of Henry's condition, and a reason to reach for the tissues.

The Time Traveller's Wife

may not be particularly intelligent but it delivers some loveable characters, who should deliver the warm fuzzies, if not tears.

Jacqueline Smith

Starring:

Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Hailey McCann, Tatum McCann, Brooklynn Proulx

Director:

Robert Schwentke

Running time:

107 mins

Rating:

PG