The current reviews of this movie average 5.5 from a little over 100 viewers. With no insult-to-intelligence intended, I think that may be because A) a number of people simply didn't understand it (it's not a simple story at all) or B) there wasn't enough adrenaline present to fuel today's CGI-addicted audience.
Despite my lack of tolerance these days for "yet another time travel story", this was unique in both concept and execution. With the exception of the two lead female characters (who both do quite a good job of acting), the other characters seem stylized, goofy and cliche. This gives the film a feel of "amateur" until one starts to realize this may be intentional. Then as the ending is unveiled (no spoilers!) we find out there is very good reason for these characterizations-- and we understand how brilliantly the whole film was carried off.
Could it have been better? Maybe with a big budget and top-level director, yes. But I doubt the story could have been more convincing or the actors done any better job pulling off their roles. (With one conceptual exception, which I simply cannot go into here without a major spoiler.)
The time travel schtick has been done to death... with this exception. This is a bit new, a different twist, and that alone makes this film well worth watching. I wasn't sure until the very end whether I liked it or not, then realized how well done it actually is. Like THE SIXTH SENSE there are clues scattered all throughout the film, but it is unlikely the viewer will recognize any of them until they start coming together near the end. The whole film is like a jigsaw puzzle that provides glimpses here and there but no clear picture until it's almost finished. The ending is a totally unexpected twist that makes this particular take on time travel unique and sets it apart from what-has-gone-before.
So despite the very slow-moving pace of this film, despite lack of real climax or action or anything which ordinarily would move me to give a movie high ratings, I give this a good solid 8 stars for achieving what it intended to achieve and pulling it off in a logical manner.
As a note: if anyone watches this and "doesn't get it" (it helps if you're a scifi geek to start with), just research the ending on Google; there should be explanations aplenty. As someone who has read and watched this genre pretty much all my life, I can say it is one of the better presentations i have seen on this theme and when it all wraps up, is surprisingly well done. I agree with doubtitall's review: the final plot element hits unexpectedly and is worth taking the time to watch this film... even if like me, you've had your fill of time travel movies.
