Jack the Ripper, one of histories greatest unsolved mysteries. So what if that man escaped the time, and that was how he escaped the law? Perhaps he wasn't found because he was no longer in the Victorian age? That is the central question at the heart of Time after Time (1979) the directorial debut of Nicholas Meyer, the man who would give us the greatest Star Trek movie of all time Wrath of Khan (1982). But Jack comes forward with a special device, The Time Machine... of H.G. Wells design.
In a direct result the author charges through time after the madman, who was one of Wells' close friends (according to the movie). Arriving in the (then) modern times, HG finds himself in a museum exhibit... dedicated to him. From there Wells tracks White Chapel Murderer through San Fransisco... providing a plot hole. In the book The Time Machine, the machine does not travel in multiple dimensions, The machine only travels through time, not over distances. The movie tries to explain this by the time difference that there is in London and Frisco... but that doesn't really make any sense, because the time difference is relative and there fore wouldn't affect the machine, but this movie is science FICTION, not a documentary.
The movie's humor is derived mainly through the counter clash, like Wells consuming McDonald's for the first time, and his ignorance of the World Wars, and one seemingly unneeded scene involves Wells noticing the jeweller has numbers on his fore arm, but no dialogue mentioned it, so Meyer's choice to include the few second shot seems bizarre.
And there is plenty of humor, especially if you know something about HG Wells and his personal life. Mainly his desire for utopia, and how the future is kind of a let down to a futurist like himself. Which results in Jack the Ripper declaring himself "home" after showing Wells (with a TV) the horrors of the 'modern' world including War, Football, and Jimi Hendrix. The Ripper then declares that "90 years ago I was a freak! Now I'm just an Amateur!" Satirizing the regression in true humanity that has happened in the 20th century, all wrapped up in a funny Sci-Fi 'cat and mouse' movie.
Malcolm McDowell stars as HG Wells, and plays him beautifully. At the beginning of the movie he portrays the intellect and hope for the future, during the later acts he handles the 'fish out of water' mentality just as well, if not better. McDowell's physical comedy and deadpan shock at the progression of history, provide most of the humorous side of the movie. But McDowell also adds a human side to Wells, who now is seen as a minor god of Sci-Fi. I really was impressed with McDowell, who I've mainly seen in supporting roles.
And the other man who shares the spotlight is David Warner, as the ultimate Slasher. Warner does not get a lot of face time, but when he does he serves as a dark mirror reflecting that killers and backstabbers (no pun intended) fit in perfectly to our modern world. Warner is creepy, yet intellectual. Brooding, yet disarming. He plays how I picture Jack the Ripper must have been, a 19th century Ted Bundy. But, I have no way to prove that. (And you have no way to disprove it!)
Although now she's most know for roles in Lifetime Original movies and as the mom in RomComs, Mary Steenburgern puts in a nice portrayal of Amy, the woman that Wells falls for in the current time. In a supporting role Steenburgen is able to make a lasting impression and helps develop the human side of Wells.
All in all the movie is fun, even though it is not historically sound... at all. recommend this movie because it's funny, engaging, and has a sprinkle of romance, all adding up to a fun ride.
Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (8/10)
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