Is It You?

When one asks the question- what makes a great romantic story, the answer ultimately is: did you feel it?

Richard Matheson wrote a story called Bid Time Return. In the novel, the writer learns he is dying and goes off to think his life through. He comes across a hotel that was built before the turn of the century and, while staying there, comes across a picture of a woman that mesmerizes him. In learning more about her, he learns that she has passed on. Not willing to let it go, he learns of her stay in the hotel- of her life as an actress and her performances in the a-joining theatre next to it, and of a life that unfolded in an abrupt shunning of emotional or shared connection. As he delves further into the hotel and Ms. McKenna's past... he learns that he had travelled to and for a brief moment, actually 'been there'.

Christopher Reeve selected this novel as a follow up to his 'out of the blue' success in Superman. And while I felt he was too young for playing the part, the fact that he got this marvelous story of Matheson's to screen- I bow to the obvious taste, age and wisdom that his young soul must have possessed. And on a personal note: as he faced (along with his amazing wife) the ultimate test of metal when real life dealt him the worst luck imagined, this film will personally always make me think, remember and admire him (and Dana). An amazing couple and the true definition of love (if you ask me).

Somewhere in Time is the fantasy that defines love. It begs the question " how far would you travel for tue love "? Richard Collier's (Christopher Reeve)answer is 'from here to eternity'.

This film bombed in the theatres when it was released in the 1980's. Nobody got it because very few actually checked it out. But as time has passed, it, like those rare gems that fall from the sky from time to time, has drawn the quiet masses. People want to feel and these are jaded times. But every now and then, something calls upon us to drop our guard, to open our hearts and our minds and simply feel.

For those of you that haven't found this buried treasure- welcome to the mind of Richard Matheson, to the direction of Jeannot Szwarc, to the beauty of Jane Semour, the villany of Christopher Plummer and to the magnificant score of John Barry- who with every frame, sets the mood.

You don't feel often when watching something nowadays but trust me when I say- whether renting or buying, you will when watching this one.

And again- personal note- thank you Christopher for getting this one made.

MFR