by Kayla Hamilton

Whether you are into a little romance, comedy, or even a little sci-fi, The Time Traveler’s Wife (based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger) can provide snatches of all three in this beautiful love story between Henry (Eric Bana) and Clare (Rachel McAdams).

Henry DeTamble is only five years old when he finds out that he has a genetic anomaly that causes him to uncontrollably travel (naked) through time. Henry learns over the years to deal with the problems his ability brings, but he was never really prepared to meet Clare. Clare, however, was completely prepared to meet Henry. It was just like she said—she had been in love with him since she was six years old.

Cheesy and perhaps creepy at times, Henry’s travels take him everywhere and to any time in his life, even back to meet Clare as a little girl. You would never suspect this passionate romance to start with a naked thirty-six year old man and a six-year old girl. Director Robert Schwentke (Flightplan) cleverly avoids making these scenes seem disturbing by scattering them throughout, giving this film an air of “true love” without limits.

As time goes on, Henry does too, which causes problems for this young couple. They never know when he will disappear, making Clare’s life unpredictable and confusing. This film stands as a beacon for all those morals we are intended to learn in life. Henry learns early the meaning of sacrifice and how to value his life, even under the extreme circumstances.

While this movie was tear-jerking and well written, it can be a little ridiculous at times. Clare is not as perfect as she seems, one moment promising Henry that his ‘problem’ won’t affect their marriage and the next swearing she never really wanted this life. And Henry only looking to keep Clare from any pain makes some difficult decisions to protect her. The two of them must know something the rest of us don’t, because with all the problems Henry’s “travels” cause, they can still keep it together.

I would highly recommend The Time Traveler’s Wife for those hopeless romantics out there, because even without any surprise endings, the last couple of scenes play out beautifully. Bana and McAdams accurately play a touching couple only looking for more time together. It has been said that all good things must come to an end, but it might not be so in this love story, for Clare and Henry’s love may just stand the test of time.