Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel

Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel is a captivating 2009 British comedy-sci-fi movie directed by Gareth Carrivick. This film brings laughter and mind-bending concepts of time travel, presented through the story of three ordinary yet distinctive English blokes. The three lead characters Chris, Toby, and Ray, adequately played by Chris O'Dowd, Marc Wootton, and Dean Lennox Kelly, give the movie its heart and soul with their unpretentious, harmless, and relatable portrayals.

At its core, Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel is a casual, off-kilter mix of comedy and time-twisting science fiction, with the storyline predominantly taking place within the confines of a local watering hole, The Goat Pub. The movie explores the concept of time travel in a unique and relatable way, often through humorous interactions and reactions from the characters as they attempt to understand what is happening to them.

The film kicks off with the character introductions. We meet Chris O'Dowd's character, Ray, a science fiction enthusiast and the more pragmatic and levelheaded of the three friends. Dean Lennox Kelly plays Toby, a cinephile with a particular interest in cult movies and B-movies. Marc Wootton's character, Pete, is depicted as the typical skeptical, blunt, and somewhat lazy friend, quite reluctant to believe in time-travel.

The storyline gets going when the three friends decide to meet up for a casual night at their local pub. Ray, who works at an amusement park and earlier that day had a peculiar encounter with a woman claiming to be a time traveler, steers the conversation toward time-travel, only for his friends, Toby and Pete, to either fantasize or laugh off the concept.

However, their banter and dismissal of time-travel is short-lived when inexplicable anomalies begin happening around them. During an ordinary visit to the men's room, Ray encounters what he describes as a “time leak,” leading to a series of unexplained temporal deviations and sudden shifts in time. The pub becomes a dynamic time-travel setting as the trio attempts to unravel the nature of the events unfolding while also straining not to meddle with the timeline.

The storyline is enriched by the appearance of Anna Faris, who plays a time traveler named Cassie. Her character is a crucial link to the string of bizarre events the friends find themselves entangled in. Is she there to help, or is she part of the problem? These questions add to the suspense, mystery, and overall enjoyment of the film.

Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel presents an unconventional take on the standard time-travel movie trope, with a far less grandiose but incredibly engaging narrative. This film may not have high-drama end-of-the-universe stakes or overused paradoxes, but it thrills in its unique way by presenting the concept of time travel in such a distinctive and humorous light.

The film expertly merges the highlight reels of the comedy and science fiction genres, becoming an enjoyable romp through time. It's characterized by razor-sharp dialogue, quirky characters, and a lighthearted approach to the typically intense plot device of time travel. While it initially maintains a decidedly British low-key humor and gentle pacing, the film does not shy away from throwing in a plot twist when you least expect it.

Despite the time-travel premise, the movie remains surprisingly grounded. Its focus isn't on the 'science' of time travel but the human experience of it and the humorous complications it might engender in a setting as unassuming as a familiar pub. With its blend of everyday banter, time travel chaos, and relatable characters, the film proves both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Although seen by some as a ‘cult’ film given its low budget and lack of commercial success, Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel continues to attract and delight viewers with its charm, wit, and compelling storyline. This movie is a hidden gem for anyone who appreciates well-done comedy, clever plotting, and a fresh take on the time-travel genre.