The Child in Time

Stephen Lewis (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a children's book author whose life is devastate when he loses his daughter in a grocery store. His life with wife Julie (Kelly Macdonald) cracks apart and she moves to a remote country home. His friend Charles is mentally deteriorating.

The jumps in time leaves the story disjointed in its telling. The Prime Minister confused me. I don't know why the story becomes political for a second. Even Charles' connection and his illness confused me. There is one big devastating section in which Stephen mistakes another child for his own. That scene strikes right into the heart. I usually like Kelly Macdonald but she seems to be underused. Benedict is doing good work but the overall sense is a disjointed story flow. This is based on a book and the adaptation is probably too scattered.

A British television film based on the 30 year old novel. The theme intrigued me. I thought I'm going to see an emotional film. But it was not strong. Basically the film avoided those common cliches. Like the film characters trying to get over a disaster that struck in their lives. But you can't avoid them entirely.

Occasionally the narration kept reminding us what led each new development. So in a way it was refreshing. Like cinematically it achieved something different in the theme we're very familiar with. But it was less entertaining, and the viewer might feel they were fooled. So honestly, I would say watch it without any expectations.

This is the story of a couple whose 4 year old daughter goes missing. The story follows their bearing, how it affects their relationship and how far they keep their hope to see her again. Difficult times ahead, their lives go on. There's a bit of politics too. I thought it was developed inappropriately compared to the initiation, but the real life filled with everything and everyone around us.

In a short, you would see unexpected drama events than everything you could anticipate. It's just a life. No matter what happens to whom, it keeps going forward. Might not be the best message, but it's only being honest. For me, it's like 8, but all I wanted was to end even better than the existing one. So it became an average. Who knows you could like it better than me!

5/10

I am surprised at the negative reviews for this work. I thought it was a wonderfully gentle film which explored the ineffable sadness of loss - of a friend, of childhood and of a child. This is about what happens after the crying and shouting has stopped. Life goes on regardless - something most of us have to face at some point. When you doubt your own belief and hope and when ghosts haunt your waking days... this is a film about losing a grip on what is 'normal'.

I found this film very moving - I did not expect any resolution or for everything to be tied up neatly at the end. Instead we are given a glimpse of adults fighting off despair and trying to find some sense and meaning. It was very well written, accompanied by some beautiful music and filled with excellent camera work. The best TV film I have seen for some while.

So the movie plot is not that original ,, but it's Benedict Cumberbatch so i had to watch it ,, and it was actualy worth it .. even though it was a bit confusing sometimes .. switching between time periods but still if you concentrated enough you'll get what is exactly going on .

The script writing wasn't that magnificent but it looked so good with the level of Mystery/Drama heightened by the couple Benedict Cumberbatch and Kelly Macdonald .

finale thought ,, i think it's a BBC movie ,, so don't expect a "Doctor Strange" movie ,, but it was over all a very good TV Drama.

I watched this movie, despite all the negative ratings and I am surprised. I think this is a very moving and well done piece. The acting was just "wow"! Has humanity benn so desensitized, that this story doesn't find more followers? I was very moved and this is definitely one of better productions lately. Thank you for making this film!