Domhnall Gleeson is set to evoke nostalgia with his leading role in The Paper, but Peacock’s eagerly awaited spin-off of The Office is not the first time the actor has transported audiences back in time. Twelve years ago, Gleeson starred in one of director Richard Curtis’ most cherished films, delivering a performance so endearing that it rivals the charm Hugh Grant amassed during his own long creative collaboration with Curtis. More entertaining than Love Actually and at times even more heartbreaking than Four Weddings and a Funeral, 2013’s About Time stands as a deeply emotional and thought-provoking achievement that has easily become a modern rom-com classic.

For those fortunate enough to experience About Time for the first time, the film follows Gleeson’s Tim Lake, a tragically awkward young man navigating adulthood until his father (Bill Nighy) reveals a life-altering secret one New Year’s Eve after Tim turns 21: As unbelievable as it sounds, the men in Tim’s family can travel back in time. Specifically, they can revisit any moment in their lives — as Nighy charmingly explains, no killing baby Hitler — and instead of seeking fortune or fame, Tim eagerly uses this gift to fulfill his long-held wish of finding a girlfriend. What ensues is a poignant tale of lost love and true love found, as Tim embarks on a series of non-linear misadventures before meeting the love of his life in Rachel McAdams‘s captivating Mary.

Despite the film’s focus on romantic relationships, About Time transcends typical genre tropes while executing them better than almost any other modern rom-com. Beneath the infectious chemistry of its leads, failed and successful proposals, and the film’s fleeting attempt at a one-sided love triangle, About Time wields its fantastical premise as a thematic tool to explore what it truly means to appreciate the time spent with loved ones. As Tim’s relationship with his father develops with an emotional finesse that is sure to tug at even the most jaded viewer’s heartstrings, About Time evolves into a mature depiction of love that consistently feels charming. Consequently, this film is a rare gem of a rom-com that proves to be more profound than most mainstream dramas, balancing adorable moments with dark revelations in a way that most audiences seldom witness in the genre.

Domhnall Gleeson’s Performance Grounds ‘About Time’s Celebration of the Present

Like the finest Hollywood rom-coms, About Time is also anchored by its memorable supporting cast, with Margot Robbie notably playing the one who got away, just before she rose to fame with The Wolf of Wall Street, and Tom Hollander, who brings a hilarious level of snobbishness to Tim’s irritable roommate. Yet, from the outset, About Time is Gleeson’s showcase, and he embraces it fully. What is refreshing about Gleeson’s portrayal of Tim is the level of understated, relatable awkwardness he channels through his character’s smallest moments. Whether he’s uncertain about how to ask Mary to walk home or humorously struggling to help his wife choose a dress, Gleeson infuses his rom-com lead with a sweetness that never feels overwhelming.

While Grant and other iconic rom-com stars typically make audiences swoon with their natural charm, Gleeson must awkwardly come into his own charisma throughout About Time, but this deviation from genre norms ultimately benefits the film. In a movie that celebrates embracing an imperfect present rather than attempting to control fate, Gleeson’s initial lack of confidence allows About Time to appreciate the trial-and-error inherent in being human, enabling audiences to recognize what makes Gleeson so underrated in the process. Curtis’ film isn’t flawless; notably, it suffers from the same problematic male-centered tropes that often derail many time-travel rom-coms upon closer examination — specifically, neither Tim nor his father discloses their powers to their wives, which raises ethical concerns — yet Gleeson’s sincerity is sufficient to mitigate discomfort for those willing to enjoy it.

Gleeson’s performance in About Time also demonstrates why he is an ideal choice to lead The Paper. Given how the American version of The Office has become such a cultural phenomenon on streaming platforms, audiences are likely to be skeptical of anyone stepping into Michael Scott’s oversized shoes. However, the same relatable persona that makes Gleeson so endearing in About Time positions him as the natural choice for the spin-off. From its inception, The Office has always aimed to capture the absurd comedy of ordinary people navigating their daily lives, and Gleeson convincingly shows he can create magic from a grounded premise in Curtis’ film. Thus, watching About Time can alleviate concerns about Gleeson’s performance in the upcoming spin-off while introducing a new generation of viewers to a film they will want to rewatch repeatedly as if it’s their first time.