A very different kind of love story, Time Freak puts a big twist into the romance with an invention that alters time. It’s actually kind of cool in a fantasy type of way, and for that it adds fun to the situation comedy. Is there more to life than figuring a way to rekindle your relationship with the one you love? It’s all this and more. On Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD January 8.
After going together for some time, college student Debbie (Sophie Turner) meets up with her boyfriend, physics major Stillman (Asa Butterfield), and tells him “I’m just not happy anymore”. Shocked at the comment, Stillman tries to get to the bottom of Debbi’s change in heart. With every reason from Debbie heard and understood, Stillman counters with ways he can change things until he realizes that it may be a lost cause.
But, Stillman is not one to give up very easy and he consults with his best friend Evan (Skyler Gisondo). He’s a good guy, but has had problems of his own on getting a relationship even started for himself. The two can’t seem to get an something to work, but as luck would have it Stillman finds the final equation to his physics time travel project. Thus begins a situation comedy with so many twists that it will make you dizzy.
Even though I did like the premise, Director and Writer Andrew Bowler lets the film get away from him. It was an excellent film as a short (it was nominated for an Oscar), but the over use of the back and forth time travel in the full length movie gets too repetitive. Unfortunately, Bowler had the best cast in the short and should have kept it as they looked more realistic and comical rather than the high profile actors who just didn’t do it for me. You can check out the short in the Bonus Features on the home video disc, but don’t until you watch the full length feature.
As Debbie, Sophie Turner, best known for her role as Sansa Stark in “Game of Thrones” for the last six years, really doesn’t seem to have her heart in the role. She even looks a lot older than her co-star Asa Butterfield and the romance angle fades quickly with the very little chemistry between the actors. And, Butterfield does seem to be trying hard to work the time differences as Stillman, but the editing cuts are too many and it looks like he is struggling with the role.
Supporting player Skyler Gisondo, you may remember him as James Griswald in Vacation 2015, does fit his role and hams it up enough for some nice comical action. Playing a third wheel can be a little freaky, but if any actor could do it and make the role look good, Skyler nails the job. I love his expressions every time the unbelievable happens and especially when he falls for Blue Ribbons (played nicely by Aubrey Reynolds) and wants to start a relationship. He helps to save the film and make it work on the comedy level.
BONUS FEATURES
After you have watched the film, turn to the extras.
“Director’s Commentary” turn this on and watch the feature again with director Andre Bowler as he guides you through some of the most intricate scenes.
“Commentary 2” watch the film with Bowler joined by producers Raymond Mansfield, Matthew Rhodes and Gigi Causey for a different look at scenes in the film from the production end.
“Making of Time Freak” interviews with Bowler, crew and cast members.
“Time Freak” The original Oscar nominated Short Film.
Time Freak has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for drug material, some sexual content, and language. The film will be available starting January 8, 2018 on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A fun film for older teens, college students and time travel fans. (3 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Sophie Turner, Skyler Gisondo, Will Peltz, Aubrey Reynolds, Julian Joy, Joseph Park
Directed and written by: Andrew Bowler
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for drug material, some sexual content, and language
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci-fi
Running Time: 1 hr. 44 min.
Video Release Date: January 8, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: November 9, 2018
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc plus Digital HD code
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released in: Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
