The Time Traveler's Wife (PG-13, 2009)

common sense media says

Tearjerker is too gloomy for tweens and younger teens.


parents & educators say
  • 46% say there are positive role models
  • 38% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this tearjerker, though romantic, may prove too gloomy for tweens and younger teens. The central couple shares a powerful love, but their relationship is constantly tested, sometimes to the breaking point, and there are few moments of levity. Expect some nudity (though primarily in a non-sexual context), swearing ("s--t" is the strongest word used), and a few bloody, though not gory, scenes. There’s also discussion of heavy topics like free will, miscarriage, death, and losing a parent.

Positive messages: Though parts of the film are quite gloomy, there’s an overall sense that life is full of meaning and love. Clare adores Henry as he is and not as she imagines him to be, which is admirable.
Positive role models: Clare and Henry are devoted to each other, despite the huge challenges they face. They do quarrel and pull away from each other at times, but inevitably, love wins out. Henry commits some petty crimes (stealing, breaking and entering, cheating) out of necessity due to his condition -- he doesn't shy away from doing these things, but it's clear that he wishes he didn't have to. You could argue that Henry manipulates Clare's life unfairly, but for the most part she doesn't seem to mind.
Violence: Early in the movie, there are some perilous/fiery scenes of an intense car accident. There's also some fistfighting (with some injuries), and a man is shot and is shown bleeding. Characters hunt with rifles. A woman bleeds heavily during a miscarriage. A man gets slapped after speaking harshly to a woman.
Sex: A couple gets in bed a few times and is shown passionately kissing and caressing each other; they later appear below the sheets with their shoulders bared -- when she gets out of bed, you see her naked from the rear (including buttocks). Several shots of Henry naked from behind/sideways, but the only sensitive body part shown is his buttocks. One scene shows Clare in the bath, but only her stomach and extremities are visible.
Language: Language includes "s--t" (several times, often as a reaction to seeing Henry disappear for the first time...), "a--hole," "damn," "hell," "goddamn," "son of a bitch," and  "oh my God."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Two characters are chided for drinking too much, though both seem to recover/give it up. Some social drinking (wine, beer, etc.) by adults.

More on The Time Traveler's Wife

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about what keeps Clare and Henry connected despite all of their difficulties. Is their life together believable? Would Clare really stay with Henry when he's so unpredictable? How does their relationship compare to other movie pairings you've seen?
  • Does the film handle the topic of time travel believably (as much as is possible, that is)? Does it seem like a benefit or a curse?
  • If you've read the book, how do you think the movie compares? What are some of your favorite books-turned-movies?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Clare (Rachel McAdams) and Henry (Eric Bana) are star-crossed lovers who meet and are torn apart by a unique genetic condition that arbitrarily sends him time traveling. When they first meet (from her perspective, anyway), he’s in his thirties and she’s still a young girl -- but they form an unlikely friendship that transcends space and time. And, eventually (or, from the start, from his perspective), they wind up together. But even their tremendous love may not be enough to sustain a relationship hobbled by Henry’s sudden absences and Clare’s longing for a stable life.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

For a film about the metaphysical, THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE is curiously lacking in energy. It starts out far too explanatory, like a wannabe friend who overshares. While it’s true that the audience needs prodding given the material -- how to make time travel approachable? -- it nevertheless seems questionable to keep inserting explanations that have been heard before. (For instance, why Henry keeps stealing clothes wherever he turns up.)

The time-travel jump cuts make the film all the more befuddling, and although Henry’s supposed to morph in age from one time period to the next, all that ever seems to change is how many wrinkles he sports and how gray his hair gets. It’s not until midway through the movie, when questions about Henry’s genetic makeup arise, that the film begins to really transport you -- and, by the end, it does get very emotional. (How can it not, given the heavy tugging? After all, the melancholic piano is cued at every tragic turn.) But still, somehow the end result is more tepid than tearjerking.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: New Line
Director: Robert Schwentke
Cast: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Ron Livingston
Genre: Romance
Run time: 107 minutes
Theatrical release: August 14, 2009
DVD release: February 9, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: thematic elements, brief disturbing images, nudity and sexuality
Watch our review

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 13 parent & educator reviews:
  • 46% say there are positive role models
  • 38% say there are positive messages
  • 31% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

rebagal22
kid, 13 years old
 
Overall a good movie
It was a good movie, i honestly think that it had a few scenes that had slight gore was there such as, well that would be a spolier, but i suggest you watch it. The most sexual content is when it shows they're rears and when they make out (even though the lady got pregent it didn't show anything)

LissaNicky
teen, 15 years old
 
Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
Good movie, it was sad though. some parts were a little iffy but overall good movie

bingbong28
teen, 14 years old
 
read the book too!
this movie was awesome! one bad scene but not that bad. read the book too!

laffytaffy18
kid, 13 years old
 
Read The Book First
I read the book and want to see this movie. I think it should be iffy for 14 because (if it follows the book) there is a lot of sex and drugs involved. Also some swearing. Very good book though!! P.S. The rating is for the BOOK! NOT the movie! :)

AimeePiexx
parent of 3 year old
 
OMG
it is a amazing film. it really hits you. EVERYONE SHOULD SEE IT !

 
the time traveler's wife is epic!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!

barnbumgabs4
teen, 15 years old
 
good for mature tweens
Best movie EVER!!!!!!

PixieDust0130
teen, 17 years old
 
A bit confusing, but definitely a must see for anyone 13+
It was kind of confusing at the beginning, but you get into it eventually. VERY sad, I bought kleenex at walmart first, and it's a good thing I did! My friend and I went to see it, and loved it. Definitely for romantics. You do see the back of a naked man, and two people are implied having sex (lying in a bed, but covered by sheets). A pregnant woman is in the bathtub, but you just see from the neck up, and her belly above the water. A man has a vasectomy. Really, not too bad. I mean, there has been worse. Henry and Clare are great role models, it definitely shows how love can work if people make it. The two would definitely do anything for each other. There is blood, as she miscarries, but there's eventually a beautiful little baby, and it's all good. Oh, until Henry gets shot in the side and you see his bleeding body a couple of times. Frostbitten black foot. Some scenes might be a bit scary for younger kids (like my little sister would think it was gross when he gets shot and everything). Definitely for anyone 13+. Part of the issue: I'm not sure anyone under 13 could follow the plot well enough. I had a little trouble, even. And I'm usually good about that type of thing.

 
I really really really loved this movie. And the book was just as great. The story was wonderful and very well played out. I don't recommend young teens watch this movie for the sexual behavior. But other than that it was a good movie.

jess_a_lou1121
teen, 18 years old
 
Great movie about love and devotion

anthoni4565
kid, 1 year old
 
not for kids under 13 thats why its pg 13
this movie is crud too inapropiate

jjacobs343
teen, 14 years old
 
Amazing!
I saw this last year, it was a little scary and really sad but an amazing movie, me and friend both loved it!! Wait until you can handle someting as intense as this!

Orcaheart7
teen, 15 years old
 
I really love this movie. I love the book as well. This is one of the best film adaptations of a book that I've ever seen. Whoever gave this two stars is frickin' retarded in a stupid way.

EmilyB123
teen, 15 years old
 
Not suggested for kids under 13

mibi4410
kid, 13 years old
 
rly liked this!!
really loved this movie!! some bloody gorey scenes and i think i missed some of the sexuality but iffy for my age mostly but great movie!!! kinda sad tho

grisso11
kid, 9 years old
 
love it take kids
i love the movies with rachel mcamdms i saw every movie she was in my favitoe one is the notebook and this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hhaahhaa
parent of 18 year old
 

timmycuddlebea ...
kid, 12 years old
 
alittle to inappropriate for tweens but for adluts! a perfect movie for me though!!!!!!!

 
ok
pretty good story

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