What makes it start clicking for viewers is the chemistry between the two remarkable actors. Mason Heidger and Tori Titmas are brilliant together and come across as being truly in love. Even in scenes that leave one of them in tears, their body language, and intonation express respect and adoration. They prove equally as good outside of that relationship as well. Heidger’s comedic timing is excellent and well utilized early on. Titmas nails her dramatic scenes and moves the audience to her way of thinking quicker than the writing does.
In fact, the whole cast is downright brilliant. To celebrate his engagement, Nick invites his sister, her boyfriend, and a handful of friends to be there for it on his and Jess’s anniversary. Sullivan plays Rachel well enough, even when she’s nasty towards Nick, it always comes from a place of love for her best friend. Shelly, his sister, is played by Rebekah Trombley, and she is excellent. Her desperate pleas for help from Nick before the time-travel and her more fun-loving side at the party are equally believable and well played. Nathaniel Kelley plays Cory, Nick’s best friend, and the scene where he tells Nick to stop beating around the bush and propose already is performed with the perfect mix of frustration and friendly advice.
“…the whole cast is downright brilliant.”
Pichla’s direction is also something to be admired. While one or two shots of the often moving camera feel like they end too soon, his directing is, otherwise, darn near impeccable. The editing keeps the movie chugging along at a great pace, and he ably balances the dramatic and comedic sides into one natural fitting tone. As stated earlier, Pichla moves the camera through the (mainly) single location house set often. This provides an excellent sense of urgency, as the present Nick only has a finite amount of time to either do it all the same way or attempt to fix things, and maybe alter his future in some unimaginable way. The visual style of Making Time expertly highlights this, without ever being intrusive or forced.
But, if you recall, I mentioned Making Time has a second problem not yet discussed. This issue is rather significant in two ways: it is the bigger problem, and it just so happens to be a massive spoiler for the ending of the movie. I will do my best not to spoil anything, so this all might sound like a bunch of nonsense. But essentially, the movie’s thematic throughline disintegrates at the end, as it gives Nick a free pass on his earlier behavior and lets him have the ending he wants. Basically, despite the movie’s best intentions, the main character winds up learning very little from his time-travel escapades and suffers no consequences. It is a massive letdown.
The cast of Making Time, especially Heidger and Titmas as the leads, is stunning and fantastic. Grant Pichla directs with an assured visual style and maintains the delicate balancing act of tones perfectly. The dialogue is funny, dramatic, and insightful, sometimes all at once. It is just too bad that the ending is so dissatisfying and relegates Nick’s journey meaningless. Still, overall, this romantic comedy-drama is worth watching, if only to say you saw all these people before their big breakthrough, as this is a great calling card for all involved.
"…a great calling card for all involved."
