In the bonus track of the DVD of "Time Freak," writer-director Andrew Bowler described how his film was an expanded version of a short film of the same title that was nominated for an Academy Award. The DVD even includes the earlier film in its entirety. It turns out that the original, brief film was more interesting and engaging than the longer version, validating the time-honored adage in writing that "less is more."

The conceit of the film is a "what if?" question related to the possibility of going back in time to change the past. In the bonus track of the DVD, Bowler observed that he wanted to explore the consequences of a single, crucial moment in a human life that, if changed, would alter the course of a relationship of a young couple.

Unfortunately, the film was a misfire because the protagonist named Stillman uses his time machine to change literally hundreds of moments in his relationship with Debbie. The character does not want to change one thing; rather, he his goal is to change EVERY thing, so as to avoid arguments with his girlfriend, avoid her rejecting him, and live a perfect life with no dissonance. Of course, this idea is so absurd ("cosmically" absurd, as Stillman comes to realize) that even Debbie cannot stand it when she finally learns that she has been victimized by a time machine.

In the extras segment of the DVD, Bowler stated that his goal was to create primarily a romantic comedy. The lead actress playing Debbie claimed that she was laughing out loud while reading the script. But the final product was not funny, and the romantic elements were disappointing because of the absence of chemistry in the principal relationship. Stillman was a physics nerd desiring an ordered and disciplined life. Debbie was a free spirit, a singer without predetermined life goals. It is difficult to imagine a more mismatched pair than Stillman and Debbie. Indeed, the underdeveloped relationship of Stillman's sidekick Evan and his relationship with "Blue Ribbons" was far more intriguing.

The film was well-photographed with interesting locations in Atlanta. It was also interesting watch British actors successful realize American dialect in their speech. But "Time Freak" failed as a dynamic romantic comedy. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote of the concept of eternal recurrence, wherein our actions are destined to repeat themselves throughout time with no recourse to recovering and altering past. That is the ultimate lesson of Stillman and his misguided time machine.

Stillman (Asa Butterfield) is heartbroken when his girlfriend Debbie (Sophie Turner) breaks up with him. The physics genius creates a time machine to get back with her. He is joined by his friend Evan (Skyler Gisondo).

This has two appealing cinematic leads. It would be fine to see them in a run-of-the-mill romance. It would be interesting to set a baseline for their chemistry. This movie muddles it up with the sci-fi premise. It messes up the standard character work. It's putting the relationship through a blender. It doesn't make Stillman look good. It's not funny. She's more an object than a real character. The problem is that she is better off without him. Maybe, just maybe, this is a better romance between Stillman and Evan. They have better chemistry than him and Debbie.

Time Freaks (2.5 out of 5 stars).

Time Freaks is a comedy drama film that has its charms with the likable casts but placed in a dumb story and a concept of time travel that is not suppose to be taken seriously. Plot is simple. It follows a physics student Stillman (Asa Butterfield) who is geeky and intelligent. He gets the lets talk text message from his girlfriend Debbie (Sophie Turner) who is a down to earth personality and does not have plans for her future. She breaks up with him. After heartbreak, he plans to build a time machine device that can put him at certain times of their relationship. Evan (Skyler Gisondo) is his best friend that tags along with him. Stillman and Evan plan on fixing the conflict of his relationship with Debbie during certain moments were he reacted negatively.

Sure, it can be a fun dumb romantic comedy. But sure the logic in the characters choices is not the brightest. Stillman may be the smartest kid but terrible in relationships. Debbie is a sweet girl that is social with everyone and lives a party lifestyle. While Stillman is living in his own world. The fun part of the movie is when the characters revisit certain moments in their lives. Stillman trying to be supportive and react nice to Debbie's actions, hoping that was the problem she was unhappy. Evans changing the course of winning his Frisbee league in school and trying to pick up a girl in school with a bad introduction that he tries to reset with Stillmans time machine.

Asa Butterfield was good at playing an awkward physics student. Sophie Turner was good too playing the sweet loving personality who does not set plans for her future. And Skyler Gisondo was great playing Evan who is the comic relief and dorky personality.

The story is ridiculous and cannot be taken seriously with the time travel concept. Stillman having these speakers look alike to create some sort of sound wave that can send him back in the past. And have his smart phone be the control of it. Then, there are moments were he reset the time so many times to relive certain parts of their relationship.

Overall, Time Freaks is a pretty bad film. The cast is great. The story and concept is ridiculous and stupid.