This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 232! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey friends!
Okay, so last night I was in this super nostalgic mood – you know, that “I miss things I never even experienced” type of mood. Call me corny, but I was craving a good ol’ classic movie, and I stumbled upon this gem: Somewhere in Time. It’s a flick from 1980, directed by Jeannot Szwarc. If you haven’t seen it, OMG, it’s an experience. If you have, let’s take a little stroll down memory lane, shall we?
The movie centers around Richard Collier, a playwright played by the ever-so-dreamy Christopher Reeve. Seriously, the man could rock a turtleneck like no other. Anyway, Richard stumbles upon a picture of a mysterious woman from the past – Elise McKenna, an actress from the early 1900s, played by the captivating Jane Seymour. He becomes utterly obsessed with a photograph her photograph. It’s like love at first sight, only, you know, separated by many decades.
Driven by this inexplicable pull, he manages to literally will himself back in time. I mean, imagine being so enamored by a picture that you literally hypnotize yourself into the past to be with that person. Sounds bonkers, right? But that’s precisely what happens. It’s more than just time travel; it’s about longing, destiny, and, like, pure, raw emotion.
It’s this whole whirlwind romance with a touch of the supernatural, underscored by the most achingly beautiful soundtrack ever composed by the genius John Barry.
Now, I’m a sucker for a good period piece, and “Somewhere in Time” does not disappoint. The costumes, the dialogue – it’s like taking a time machine back to a more elegant era. It definitely had me itching to dig out my grandma’s old photo albums!
So, Christopher Reeve, aka Superman, shows us this vulnerable side that’s just sooo different from his superhero alter-ego. He has this boyish charm that makes you root for him from the get-go. You know, kind of like how you suddenly become a pretend sports fan during the World Cup just because you love a good underdog story. And Jane Seymour? Oh, she’s just timeless. No pun intended. Her portrayal of Elise is as touching as it is haunting.
Speaking of sensory details, can we talk about the soundtrack? John Barry, you musical wizard! The score is so lush, so evocative, it’s practically a character on its own. It tugs at your heartstrings and drags you into the early 20th century with every note.
Now, I have to admit, there are moments where the dialogue feels a bit dated. It’s like flipping through an old photo album where every picture tells a story, even if a few shots are blurry or awkward. Besides, the setting makes up for it. The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is just drop-dead gorgeous. Fun fact: The hotel really does exist (and I’ve been there!), and it was already a historic landmark by the time they filmed there.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper time travel movie without a few hiccups, right? The ending, without giving anything away, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. It’s a reminder that some connections transcend time and space, leaving an indelible mark on our souls. Yeah, I went there.
Watching Somewhere in Time is a unique blend of comfort, melancholy, and a gentle reminder of the past. There’s something so raw about the way the film handles love and loss. It’s not all Hollywood fluff; there’s depth and grit beneath the saccharine surface.
What really hit me is that sense of yearning. It’s not just about lovers separated by time; it’s about the universal desire to transcend our current reality, to find something – or someone – that makes us feel truly alive. Maybe that’s why this movie still resonates, despite its old-school vibes. Regardless, Somewhere in Time is a film that successfully pulled at my heartstrings.
Peace Out, ✌️
Roger