The Greatest Hits Explores Time Travel for Love

How many times have you heard someone say, “…that song really takes me back ?” What if that could really be a thing?  What if  a single song, an unforgettable sound, could literally take you back in time, literally? Harriet (Lucy Boynton) finds music imitating life when she discovers songs shared with her former boyfriend can take her back to the scene of the moment, giving her a second chance to twist fate. While she relives the past through romantic memories, her time traveling collides with a burgeoning new love interest in the present (Justin H. Min). While embarking on this  journey between music and memory, she wonders even if she could change the past, should she?

Taking place in Los Angeles and shooting in more than 36 locations including Echo Park, Silver Lake, Chinatown, Boyle Heights, Highland Park, Downtown, Venice Beach and Agua Dulce adjacent to Vasquez Rocks,  this film showcases an unusually expansive and nuanced depiction of Los Angeles. Whether during time-traveling sequences or in the present day, Harriet, Max, David and Morris cover the city that serves as an important character in the film.

The chemistry between Min and Boynton is undeniable, as well as their characters ability to display vulnerability in not being able to move on in the present because the past just has too much of a hold on your heart in more ways than one.  It was also nice to see Austin Crute, but wished he had more to do than just be the gay sidekick to the female protagonist.  Boynton’s hopeful angst that she can ultimately save the love of her life is heartbreaking to witness. This is especially noticeable toward the end when she decides what their fate will be.  Min proves that along with love comes unconditional trust.  It’s that trust that will either crack your heart wide open or super glue it shut for the next person to come along.

Directed by Ned Benson for Searchlight Pictures, The Greatest Hits had me all up in my feelings. I love the premise of songs instigating emotional and physical time travel, however, I’m not so sure it was strong enough to build an entire film around this idea.