Time after Time

The film begins with Richard Kerm, a high-stakes journalist in Tulsa, whose rush to publish a corruption story leads to the suicide of a city official. Devastated and disillusioned by the '24/7 news cycle,' Richard returns to his small hometown of Glenville. He takes a job at the local paper, the Eagle, under his old mentor Del. Upon his return, he reunites with Jackie, his high school sweetheart whom he abandoned 11 years prior. Their reunion is volatile; Jackie, now the mayor and a chef, hits him in the head with a frozen chicken during an argument at her restaurant. While recovering, Richard meets Dick Woodstein, a quirky older man working in the classifieds department. Dick eventually reveals a shocking truth: he is Richard from the year 2035. He explains that he accidentally traveled back in time after a mishap involving a 'protein ionizer' and a 'nourishment delsenator.' Dick’s mission is to help Richard avoid a life of loneliness and regret. The central conflict involves the arrival of 'Sir Save-A-Lot,' a massive retail chain Jackie is championing to save the town's economy. Dick warns Richard that in his timeline, the store eventually bankrupted the local merchants and turned Glenville into a ghost town. Richard is torn between his journalistic instincts and his desire to support Jackie, who is now engaged to the local doctor, Jeff. Throughout the film, Richard also mentors Ricky, a 15-year-old mailroom worker who mirrors Richard's own youthful ambition. As the town vote for the store approaches, Richard discovers that Jeff is unfaithful or otherwise unsuitable for Jackie, leading to their breakup. In the climax, Richard and Dick decide to use the high school newspaper, 'The Oak,' to publish a heartfelt editorial. Richard writes a moving piece about the importance of preserving the town's history and publicly confesses his enduring love for Jackie. The editorial sways public opinion, and the vote is delayed. In the final resolution, the film jumps forward 25 years to an anniversary celebration. We see a thriving Glenville and a happily married Richard and Jackie. The 'future' Richard (Dick) has disappeared, replaced by the now-older Richard of this new, improved timeline, who realizes that by staying and committing to his home, he successfully changed his destiny.