Best friends Ruth and Megan run a vintage shop in North London. When they stumble across a time machine, they embark on trips to the past, ‘borrowing’ items to sell in the present. They don’t want to change history, or rob banks, they just want to find a nice lamp… without getting sucked into the hellish time/space vortex that is the Unreason.
Warning: I’m very stingy on details from the film, yet madly full of enthusiasm. You’ll understand later. Yes, it’s for your own good.
Don’t you just love time travel movies? I do. Can’t really think of one I don’t like. I imagine you can place them all on a scale with, let’s say George Pal’s The Time Machine on one end being very serious science and curiosity about the future, and perhaps Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits on the other end with some seriously twisted time fracturing going on with quite a bit of humor. Back to the Future would be closer to that latter end, while Time after Time closer to the former. So maybe you’re with me so far? No? No matter, onward!
Time Travel is Dangerous is very much on the Time Bandits end of our scale. This story firmly placed in the funny, inventive, and rule breaking zone. This is made all the more fun with a healthy serving of Monty Pythonesque situations. And then seasoned with a dash of Absolutely Fabulous‘ Patsy and Eddy’s conversational barbs and muttering. (Personally, I think that’s where all the best jokes live.) We end up with an absolutely fabulous and inventive take on the time traveling movie trope.
Motivation for most folks in time travel stories tend towards some personal need. To move about in time, undoing some wrong. Discovering the source of some mystery. Or sometimes they’re on the receiving end of the voyage (Why hello Doctor Who!) In Time Travel is Dangerous, we’re watching Ruth (Ruth Syratt) and Megan (Megan Stephenson) travel into the mysterious past to… collect items to sell in their thrift shop. It’s perfect for them. They pay nothing for their stock, and come home with some astounding finds. Of course occasionally they have to run back to their time machine being pursued by the local citizens. But seriously, it’s the perfect setup.
The film is shot in a “video interview” format, like The Office (British or English), and Parks and Recreation. Occasional narration is provided by the ever so identifiable voice of Stephen Fry. Much of this takes place in Cha Cha Cha, a small vintage shop run by the two best friends. They just happened to find a working time machine next to the trash bins one morning, turned it on, and ended up in 1945. How’s that for an origin story? Their town is full of unusual characters, and you’ll want to take note of the establishing shots at the beginning. There are clues to what’s going on in the larger story that I have to admit I missed on my first viewing.
I’d love to say more about the plot and adventures, but that risks spoilers, always a problem in time travel. Leave it to say that so much of what you expect to happen does not. And some of what you had no idea would happen takes center stage. And then the whole thing slides way into the unpredictable. Relaxing later with your friends you may find yourself politely arguing about what unidentifiable but suspiciously familiar historical figures you’ve seen knocking about in various… well, again that would be telling.
While obviously an independent film, the special effects are serviceable, perhaps even adorable. Direction is well done by Chris Reading, who co-authored the nicely tight script with sisters Anna-Elizabeth and Hillary Shakespeare, AKA The Shakespeare Sisters. I heartily recommend Time Travel is Dangerous for Cinequest patron looking for a fun science fiction film that avoids being too twisted in its telling.
Yes, it’s just twisted enough.
Oh , you can visit the film’s website, and maybe even take a closer look at the time machine!
Visit Cinequest for show times and to buy tickets.
Ric Bretschneider
March 6, 2025
San Jose, California