The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

I read the book that this movie is based off of. When I heard there was a movie version I just shook my head.

Title: The Time Traveler's Wife

Based on the book (of the same name) by: Audrey Niffenegge

Director: Robert Schwentke

Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, and Ron Livingston

Rated: PG-13

Released: 2009

Rating: 2.5/5

Basic Plot: Henry DeTamble can time travel and forms a relationship with Clare Abshire.

Differences Between Book and Movie
Most things that are changed in the movie version are made to make it more watchable. The original book was really a mess of WTF moments. It was actually very hard to read for the first half (and for all the wrong reasons). Some of the things that are changed, though, make the movie a little less powerful than the book.

Henry and Clare as a Couple
In the book this was a really creepy relationship and in the movie it's a little less creepy (while still retaining a little of the creepy factor). If you look outside of the creepy factor, the fact is that there is zero tension. What makes it even worse is that this is the thing that the movie focuses on and that's not good when you don't care about the relationship (because you know it'll work out in the end). Sort of like Aria and Ezra in Pretty Little Liars (minus the time travel) where you have no doubt that they'll always be together.

Time Travel
In both the movie and the book Henry is able to time travel (at random) because he has a gene that allows him to. While this isn't believable, it shows some attempt to make the time travel science fiction and not fantasy. I admit it is cheesy but it's an excuse for some science fiction mumbo jumbo.

Final Thoughts
This movie is very bland. While the time travel is an interesting twist, it's a gimmick that isn't very interesting after awhile. If it was a choice between the book and the movie, I'd recommend the movie. The lack of tension is really bad for any form of fiction and it's what makes this a movie that you should only rent.