Tim Travers is what I like to call a beer movie. Have a beer or two, or a whiskey, or your chill-out of choice, sit down, and let yourself laugh. Don't overthink it. The science quoted is cutting edge, but the plot is a deliberate call back to late 20th century camp and cult.
Sam Dunning delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance for a man who is playing opposite himself much of the time. It is completely believable, a la Eddie Valiant in Roger Rabbit. I was surprised that despite the entirely similar wardrobe (there are differences) and minimal visual changes, I could typically figure out which Tim was on screen by facial expression and small tics given to each version. The only flaw in this film is that Tim's redemption arc is subtle, and the two key scenes could be missed or misread (especially if you've had an extra beer to go with your beer movie.) However, Sam's Tim absolutely delivers the sort of redemption one can believe for a fundamentally self-absorbed man who can't stop himself from catering a bit too much to himself.
While Tim himself is funny (if for all the wrong reasons -- enjoy them) the supporting cast, even one-scene wonders and tough-guy Danny Trejo, deliver surprisingly good laughs. Especially when the film takes the time to show where reality, not movie logic, starts setting in for some folks and they try to tap out only to be sucked back in because you can't unknow things.
The movie does go on a bit long, and I'm never a Felica Day fan. That said, the movie keeps up the pace by taking everything at an almost caffeinated pace. I also feel that many women will appreciate the Deliah character because of how relatable her arc is -- seeing a man who could be something great, but just chooses to instead lean into everything that makes him hard to like. I love that this film doesn't somehow force a romance, but instead lets Deliah give a realistic portrayal of a disgusted woman.
Lots of easter eggs for those of us who grew up on 80s and 90s films. I don't always like that (it can feel too cheap an attempt at nostalgia) but all of them were played note-perfect and with the sort of nods and cues in the film that tell the audience that is was absolutely on purpose and meant as homage or parody.
Is it the stuff of camp and cult legend? I have no idea. Time will tell. But if your Friday night gang can appreciate a rude joke and has ever descended into absurdity, this is a solid choice for movie night.
