Somewhere in Time

Somewhere in Time is a 1980 American romantic drama film directed by Jeannot Szwarc, based on Richard Matheson's 1975 novel "Bid Time Return." The movie tells the enchanting story of Richard Collier, a relatively unknown actor and writer, played by Christopher Reeve, who meets an elderly woman, Alice Trask Hargreaves, played by Jane Seymour, on the opening night of his first play. The film opens with Richard Collier, a struggling actor, attending the premiere of his first play. As he steps out of his dressing room, he is approached by an elderly woman who begs him to "Come back to me." Her words seem to pierce the air, and Richard is left bewildered and intrigued. Though he doesn't know her personally, there's something in her words that resonates with him. Determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious woman, Richard begins to dig into her past. He discovers that she is Alice Trask Hargreaves, a renowned stage actress from the early 20th century, famous for her captivating performances in plays by Henrik Ibsen. As Richard learns more about Alice's life and achievements, his fascination with her only deepens. Richard soon becomes increasingly consumed by his infatuation with Alice, to the point of neglecting his work and friends. He starts to visit her house daily, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Eventually, he begins to study and master the art of self-hypnosis, an experimental technique used to induce a trance-like state. In a bid to meet Alice in person, Richard uses his newly acquired self-hypnosis skills to will himself into the past. To his amazement, he finds himself in the year 1896, on the sets of a play. Overjoyed and terrified by the prospect of living in another time, Richard is soon introduced to a 26-year-old Alice, played by Jane Seymour, who still holds the same captivating stage presence and charm that captivated him in his own time. As the two actors meet, they begin to form a deep bond. Alice, who is struggling with the isolation of her success, finds solace in Richard's genuine enthusiasm for her craft. Richard, in turn, sees a kindred spirit in Alice and begins to learn the value of art and living in the present moment. Together, they spend countless hours rehearsing plays, performing, and enjoying each other's company. However, their relationship is not without its complications. The time-travel element is fraught with uncertainty, and the prospect of being trapped in the past looms large over them. Richard struggles with his desire to return to his own time, but at the same time, he's not ready to part with Alice. Their love blossoms, but it's a time-sensitive flame, one that may extinguish with a snap of the wrist. As the year draws to a close, Richard begins to question whether his time in the past is permanent or temporary. As the days go by, he starts to notice subtle changes in his surroundings. Alice begins to refer to Richard as her "husband," and the people around them seem to accept him as a part of her life. It becomes clear that Richard's time-travel has not gone unnoticed. Richard knows that he can't stay in the past forever, but he's torn between the life he left behind and the love he's found. The clock ticks relentlessly, pushing him to make a decision. As the New Year approaches, Richard and Alice face a heart-wrenching choice: stay together for the remaining 23 years or live separate lives, forever entwined by the memories of a love that transcended time. Despite the tragic ending that awaits them, Somewhere in Time captures the beauty of an all-consuming love that wills us to defy the boundaries of time and space. Through Richard's journey, the film illustrates the power of imagination, determination, and the willingness to take risks. Even though time and love can be cruel, the movie's poignant ending will leave viewers reminiscing about the fleeting beauty of a love that has transcended the sands of time.