The Time Traveler's Wife

Time Travel Device: Genetic anomaly

Time Travel Outcome/Purpose: The anomaly itself doesn't appear to have a purpose, but Henry's purpose seems to be tied to fate; he always comes back to Clare.

Coolness Factor: The matter-of-fact nature of the "disease" and how Henry's daughter can control it. (In the book, it is implied that more and more children will be born with this anomaly and the ability to control it.)

Flaws: There don't appear to be any flaws except the script-writers don't make it completely clear that (1) the time traveling also involves traveling in space; (2) the amount of time Henry is gone is reflected in the "current" time line. The book gives a more in-depth description of the mechanics.

Paradox: The grandfather paradox is not allowed for. Henry CAN'T change things. (Nobody cares about the Prime Directive which is actually rather refreshing.) Pre-destination is the most employed, as Henry causes many of the events in his life to transpire, and there's no way to know when the loop started.

Mike says Thank Goodness for compromise movies like this one. Watching movies with a non-geek wife usually boils down to being little more than a test of endurance and love, either on that part of the geek or, usually, the wife (as non-geek wives don't watch nearly as much TV). And so, compromise movies are those that blend a solid romance/drama with some fun sci-fi/fantasy elements. Ghost is a solid example of one of the first really successful compromise movies, and The Time Travelers Wife is a worthy comparison.

The idea of time travel as mutation/power is not new; the X-Men have been employing it for decades. It's an interesting idea, though, and I like it a lot. The idea that a being could learn to traverse the time stream in the same way he might swim is really cool.

The movie also handles the idea of predestination in a cool way--while Henry's life is kinda of laid out, he doesn't know how or what will transpires, so he forges ahead, making the best choices he can. I loved when he used the lottery ticket to create a life and home for his family, as he was mastering his disability and this activity pushes the edges of his "predestined life." If everything I do is already set out, then I shouldn't be able to do anything I didn't do before.... so, if I was able to buy it, I must have always bought it, and always will buy it (Time Loops are FUN!).

I think I also really like the movie as it's a wonderful look at a relationship with a handicapped individual, much like a mental illness, or even epilepsy. As I work in the field, I can say with authority that the movie is really true to the ups on downs of such relationships.

Like I said, it's a great compromise movie, as the sci-fi elements are presented in such a way as non-geeks can easily access it. The Time Travelers Wife is a fun movie, and a chick flick I can actually stand.


Kate says the one thing I really like about Niffenegger's story is that time traveling is risky. The risks aren't Genghis Khan barbarians trying to kill you but the simple (but terrifying) risks of cold, not being able to walk, not having clothes or shelter or money, etc.

It brings the whole issue down to its most elemental. So often in time travel stories, people aren't really physically affected. Time traveling is risky, but not something you have to learn to pick locks for in order to survive. In The Time Traveler's Wife, time traveling is made real and ordinary because it affects Henry in the most real and ordinary ways.

The movie is surprisingly easy to follow. The book is slightly more complex, but even in the book (as in the movie) Clare and Henry's relationship and Clare's aging give the story a stable, if winding, thread.

The theme is a curious mix of fate and free will. I like that the fate part of the relationship doesn't make it any easier. Henry and Clare still have to choose to make the relationship work. Clare has to accept Henry's younger self. They have to work on the marriage. During the pregnancy, Clare chooses to hope while Henry learns to stay calm.

The movie does stress the fate part of the relationship more than the freewill part. Which I suppose is to be expected. I saw the movie before I read the book. I recommend the book (although the beginning part is a little hard to get through since Henry is rather immature). Having seen the movie again, I almost expected to be disappointed (comparison-book-movie blues), but I actually think the movie holds up fairly well. I would have liked to see Henry go back to the meadow more, but I understand why visually that might be a bit creepy. I also would have liked to see the movie end with Henry visiting older Clare.

But all in all, it's a HUGE, complex book boiled down to 107 minutes, and the result is faithful in tone and intent if not completely faithful in plotting. The ultimate theme comes through: resilience and love in the face of pain and loss.