Recently my son, Flamepillar, did a review on the movie "Frequency" which deals with time-travel. At that time I suggested that he check out "Somewhere In Time". Although it is a romance, the concept of time-travel is integral to the story. Released 23 years ago in 1980, this film continues to this day to captivate and attract new fans. It was filmed in both Chicago and on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Mackinac Island is a unique island, in that even today automobiles are not allowed. All transportation is by either horse and buggy or by bicycle. The Grand Hotel, where most of the story takes place, comes by its' name honestly. It is majestic and it boasts a huge front porch...I believe it's something like 650 feet long. People are enchanted with the feeling of a bygone era while staying there. It was the perfect setting for "Somewhere In Time".

THE PLOT

The story begins with a young, upcoming playwright, Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve), celebrating with friends after the premier of his first play, "Too Much Spring". During this party Richard is approached by a very old woman. She reaches for his hand, looks deeply into his eyes, says Come back to me, then leaves. When he opens his hand, there lies a gold pocketwatch.

Eight years have passed and Richard is suffering from writers block and has recently broken up with his girlfriend. He feels a need to get away and begins to drive. He stumbles across a huge Victorian hotel, The Grand Hotel. He decides to stop there for a while and checks in. The valet, a very old man, Arthur (Bill Erwin), shows Richard to his room and they chat. He tells Richard that he came to the Grand with his parents back in 1910. He then rubs his chin and asks, "Have we ever met before?"

While waiting for the hotels' restaurant to open for the dinner hour, Richard visits the "Hall of History". The walls are painted a deep wine color and the sun shines a beam through a high window. The room contains glass-covered cases filled with memorabilia, including some very old guest registers. There are pictures on the walls of some of the previous guests. One particular picture draws Richards' eye and he feels spellbound. The placard identifying the lovely woman in the picture has been removed, so Richard goes to Arthur to find out her name. Arthur tells him "That's Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour). She performed in a play here at the Grand back in 1912."

Richard tosses and turns in bed that night, obsessed about this young woman. The next morning she is still on his mind. He decides to go into the library in town to do a little research. He finds small bits and pieces of information, but nothing concrete until he stumbles across one old periodical. There is a story of the actress, Elise McKenna, and her subsequent withdrawal into seclusion at a very young age. This article also included the very last picture taken of Elise. Richard is in shock when he sees the same face in the picture as the face of the old woman who came to him eight years earlier. A local resident, Laura Roberts (Teresa Wright) has written a biography on Elise. Richard goes to visit her, hoping to get more information. Laura lets Richard view the personal belongings of Elise that she has collected. One of the items was a book entitled, "Travels Through Time", by Dr. Gerald Finney. Laura tells Richard that Elise read the book over and over.

Dr. Finney (George Voskovec), by coincidence, was a professor of Richards' during college. Richard goes to him for advice and to ask the question, "Is time travel possible?". With the advice of Dr. Finney, the purchase of vintage clothing and the exchange of new coins for old coins issued prior to 1912, Richard returns to the hotel. He attempts the use of self-hypnosis to find his way into the past. After much frustration, Richard is about to give up when he remembers the old guest registers that were encased in the Hall of History. With Arthurs help, Richard finds that most of the registers are stored in the attic of the Grand. When he sees his own signature dated back in 1912, he knows then that he would be successful.

Upon arriving in the past, Richard immediately searches out Elise. When he finally sees her, she is not receptive. And she is not alone. Her constant companion and apparent guardian is her manager, William Fawcett Robinson (Christopher Plummer). After several attempts to contact Elise, Richard is finally able to persuade her to join him for an afternoon walk. Robinson follows them, so Richard and Elise run to a nearby buggy and drive away. When they return later and exchange a passionate kiss, there is a knock on the door. Of course, it is Robinson. Until this moment Elise has been soft and gentle. Being interrupted brings out the fire in her eyes and she firmly tells Robinson, "Our relationship is strictly business, Mr. Robinson. I am involved with you as an actress, not a doormat. Do NOT attempt to wipe your boots on me."

After a performance at the theater of the hotel, Elise is sitting for a photographer. Richard comes backstage where the photos are being taken. When Elise sees him she beams. The photographer catches her image at that moment. It is this picture that Richard had first viewed back in the hotels' Hall of History. As the story progresses, Robinson devises many ways to keep Richard and Elise apart. Their timeless love will face many obstacles, and well, just keep the Kleenex box handy. You'll need it.

THE CREDITS

Director, Jeannot Szwarc.
With a very long list of credits beginning 40 years ago with televisions' The Virginian to todays Boston Public, Jeannot Szwarc does a wonderful job on this film.
Writer, Richard Matheson.
Somewhere in Time is based on his novel, Bid Time Return. Richard Matheson has contributed his writing skills for many years, including the television series Have Gun Will Travel, The Twilight Zone, and Night Gallery.
Producers, Stephen Deutsch and Ray Stark
Film Editing, Jeff Gourson Anger Management (2003)
Costume Design, Jean-Pierre Dorleac
For 4 consecutive years (1990,91,92,93) his costume design was nominated by the Emmys for his work on "Quantam Leap". In 1981, he was nominated by the Academy Awards for Best Costume Design for this film, Somewhere in Time.

THE MUSIC

John Barry composed the score. He was nominated by the Golden Globe awards in 1981 for "Best Original Score" for this film. Back in 1967, Mr. Barry won the Oscar for "Best Music, Original Score" for the film, Born Free. In 1986 he won both the Oscar and the Golden Globe awards for "Best Original Score" for the film, Out of Africa. He also won the Oscar in 1991 for "Best Music, Original Score" for Dances With Wolves. He's a truly remarkable composer.
Sergei Rachmaninovs' "Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini" is the beautiful sound that is heard in several of the scenes throughout this film.

THE CAST

Christopher Reeve, Richard Collier
Christopher Reeve is most well-known for his role as Superman. In his earliest days, he performed in a television soap opera, "Love of Life". He was offered the lead role in "American Gigolo" back in 1980, the same year as "Somewhere", but turned it down, much to the pleasure of Richard Gere. A very sad irony, Christopher played the role of "Dempsey", a man confined to a wheelchair, in the last film that he performed in (Above Suspicion (1995) before his very own accident, which left him with paralysis. He captured my heart in this film....lordy, where did he learn to kiss like that?

Jane Seymour, Elise McKenna
Jane Seymour is most well-known for her role as "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman". She has been married 4 times, presently to James Keach, brother of actor, Stacey Keach. She is the mother of twins, Johnny (named for singer, Johnny Cash) and Kris (named for Christopher Reeve). In this film she was the epitome of a turn-of-the-century woman, with beauty and grace and ambition.

Christopher Plummer, William Fawcett Robinson
Probably most well-known for his role as Captain Von Trapp in the classic, "The Sound of Music" back in 1965, Christopher Plummer is a wonderful actor. His career began back in 1947 with the Kraft Television Theater. He played the dastardly role of Robinson perfectly.

Bill Erwin, Arthur Biehl
The career of Bill Erwin has spanned over 50 years, with an appearance back in 1951 on the I Love Lucy show to his role as Ronald Cruikshank in an episode of The West Wing in 2001.

Teresa Wright, Laura Roberts
Ms. Wrights' career began with 3 back-to-back Academy Award nominations for her first 3 performances. She won the award in 1942 for Best Supporting Actress in her work in Mrs. Miniver. She continues to be a fine actress with a grace and charm that is rarely seen these days.

Somewhere In Time is the ultimate love story. After watching it many times over the years, it continues to be one of my absolute favorite films.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older