Timescape

This is a film I often think about. There aren't many sci-fi films from this era that are so accessible, it has good family drama as well as mystery elements. The setup of a single father and daughter is very typical of 1990s films but I can't think of any other story quite like it. It's not perfect, and there are some moments that were a little corny at the time and will feel even moreso now, but overall it's charming and has some great performances.

No one I know, outside my family of 4, has ever heard of this film; what a tremendous loss that is to science fiction, ideas, thoughtful and intelligent stories, and old-fashioned entertainment. The film is based on a fine old short-story, "Vintage Season," which, like the movie, is probably not reprinted in any current anthology. I am happy to have the tale in print, and happy to own a copy of this well made film created from it (I taped it 2 or 3 years ago from, I believe, HBO). Search this one out--perhaps it'll be on one of the premium cable channels again one day?--and enjoy clever, witty, and surprisingly memorable movie-making. You'll ponder the end of this one for weeks, guaranteed.

I saw this soon after its original release and would love to see it come out on DVD for Region 2.

It is a low-budget gem: well written, very well acted, with an interesting and surprising storyline.

The film moves steadily without breaking into much of a sweat until the rapid build up to the revelation to the 'reason'.

It is strangely engaging. I had something else to complete urgently but the 90 mins. seemed much more important.

I'd love to see it again. If you get the chance, then do so as you'll enjoy it.

A gem.

I saw this film on TV and it reminded me of a Sci-Fi story I had read many years ago in a Sci-Fi magazine called, at that time, "Astounding Science Fiction". The title of the story was "Vintage Season" and I believe the author was Lawrence O'Donnell. Incidentally, I still have the magazine. This information may be of use to followers of this genre and if anyone knows how I may be able to obtain a copy of a later published book by this author containing this story I would appreciate it.

As far as the film is concerned I must add that, in my opinion, it was cleverly directed and the acting by Jeff Daniels was up to his usual good standard. There is no need for me to outline the plot as this has already been done except to say that, although I personally have always been interested in time travel stories and/or films, there is no need to be acquainted with this genre to follow the plot and enjoy the film. I saw the film under the title "Timescape" which is elusive enough to attract attention. In my opinion the film has a softer and more acceptable ending than the story but otherwise adheres to the original quite well. I would give it full marks as a film which does not contain any far-fetched sequences so often included in other films of this genre.

Timescape (as it was called here in the UK) was one of the late night films here on BBC T.V. It was well worth staying up to watch this one. This is one of those films that just gets better as it goes along.

If you are a big science fiction fan, especially for those interested in time travel. Timescape talks about how anyone travelling from the future cannot come back and change the past, as this would change the future itself. The movie is a little slow in the beginning, and could have been much better technically. But it is not bad for a television series (though it was shown as a film here!). It answers many questions and also questions many of the theories that currently exist in the scientific world.

If you liked the 'twelve monkeys' or '12:01' you MUST watch this! (and vice-versa)