I've become quite the fan of the London-based Shakespeare Sisters, duo Anna-Elizabeth and Hillary Shakespeare. Time Travel is Dangerous cements that feeling with its retro-vibed storytelling and outlandish world-making.
Time Travel is Dangerous is co-penned by director Chris Reading along with the aforementioned Shakespeare Sisters. Time Travel is Dangerous is kinda sorta a mockumentary-lite, a narrative film centered around BFFs Ruth and Megan. The two are played by real-life friends Ruth Syratt and Megan Stevenson, a fun little element in an immensely fun little film. The two run a London vintage shop where they don't really do much or make much. Things start to change when a mysterious time shows up outside their shop. While there are a myriad of things one could do with a time machine, it makes perfect sense (sarcasm intended) for our delightful duo to use said time machine to source vintage items for their shop to sell.
Of course, if you've ever watched any film with any time machine then you already know that messing with time is bound to have serious consequences.
Time Travel is Dangerous takes off.
Truthfully, I loved Time Travel is Dangerous throughout its 99-minute running time. The film carries an 80's vibe from beginning to end and the film's dry, distinctly Brit humor is the type of humor that appeals to me most. I doubt you'll let out any loud guffaws, however, there's such a wonderful sensibility here, including Stephen Fry's perfect narration, that you can't help but have a good time with it all.
The Shakespeare Sisters, and I suppose I should talk about Chris Reading more as well, are still in the arena of low-budget filmmaking, however, this film is a definite sign of growth and a sign the London creatives are digging their scene. Both Syratt and Stevenson are sublimely cast with impressive comic sensibility and the ability to lean into the wackiness of it all without going too far overboard.
Brian Bovell is equally impressive as Ralph, the time machine's inventor whose cautions go largely ignored. The film's ensemble is uniformly strong with brief appearances by the likes of Guy Henry, Sophia Thompson, Johnny Vegas, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and others.
Of course, much credit does go to Reading for balancing the film's sci-fi and comedy elements and for leaning into the film's practical special effects and lower-budgeted world-making. There's a lot of silliness that unfolds here, however, it fits the storytelling perfectly.
Kudos for Rich Maskey's imaginative lensing and Simon Porter's creative, inspired original score. There's just an awful lot to love here across the board. Available now via your usual streaming platforms, Time Travel is Dangerous had its world premiere at the 2024 Austin Film Festival and should please most fans of the indie sci-fi/comedy scene.
Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
