Timeline

Rating

Director

Richard Donner

Screenplay

Jeff Maguire, George Nolfi (Novel: Michael Crichton)

Length

116 min.

Starring

Paul Walker, Frances O’Connor, Gerard Butler, Billy Connolly, David Thewlis, Anna Friel, Neal McDonough, Matt Craven, Ethan Embry, Michael Sheen, Lambert Wilson, Marton Csokas, Rossif Sutherland

MPAA Rating

PG-13 (For intense battle sequences and brief language)

Review

An archaeological dig provides the clues to solving a centuries-old mystery caused by a modern day temporal mishap.

A research company in New Mexico has created a device that would normally be used to "fax"objects across the country but after an unexplained programming glitch, the apparatus is in essence a time machine. Conventional use isn’t applicable as it is only linked to one point in history, the battle for Castlegard in France. The film’s first glimpse of its stars is at a dig where Castlegard once stood. The head archaeologist, Professor Johnston(Billy Connolly), tells the tale that the French were severely outnumbered and the British had taken control. The French were about to lay siege to the fortress at Castlegard but the British had a plan. They would kill the sister of a noted general and her death, it was thought, would demoralize the troops. Instead, it worked against the British, inspiring the French legions to capture the castle. Johnston is asked to travel back in time to locate a missing operative that went to investigate his surroundings but never returned.

The class, considered experts in the field, plus Johnston’s son Chris (Paul Walker), are sent back to locate the professor and bring him back. Along for the paradox-ridden ride are Chris’ soon-to-be-girlfriend Kate (Frances O’Connor), fellow professor André Marek (Gerard Butler), their French-speaking compatriot François (Rossif Sutherland) and company representative Frank Gordon (Neal McDonough). Remaining behind to repair the gadget when it unexpectedly breaks down after transporting the rescue party back in time are the ambitious and contemptable Robert Doniger (David Thewlis), head programmer/designer Steven Kramer (Matt Craven) and fellow archaeology student Josh Stern (Ethan Embry), who stays behind because he’s afraid to have his particles separated and recombined.

If these aren’t enough characters to pay attention to, the group meets several important figures to the events they were studying. Lady Claire (Anne Friel) is the woman who died and inspired the French to victory. Her brother is Sir Oliver de Vannes (Michael Sheen). These actors make an unwieldy ensemble whose performances range from bad (like Sutherland and Sheen)to horrible (Walker and McDonough). Connelly is the only one who appears to be trying but with such talent around him, he gets lost and ultimately gives up.

Director Richard Donner hasn’t had the best of track records. His films have been decent but with many weak elements (Superman , The Goonies and the Lethal Weapon series). Screenwriters Jeff Maguire and George Nolfi have adapted Michael Crichton’s novel to the screen and didn’t succeed at lifting the Crichton curse. With the exception of the originalJurassic Park , films based on Crichton’s novels have been not only unsuccessful but horrendously awful. Congo and Sphere were atrocious movies that certainly didn’t live up to the source material. Here we run across the same situation and are forced to believe that we may never see a good adaptation of one of his novels again.

Timeline takes plot inconsistencies, unreasonable paradoxes and terrible acting to a new level. Archaeology students will find some of the precepts discussed herein entertaining but the average audience will likely look away from the faux sentiment and questionable accuracy and leave with a mental void wondering what the purpose of the film was.

Review Written

April 4, 2004