As a seasoned film enthusiast with a soft spot for captivating performances and heartfelt narratives, I must say that the dynamic duo of Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in “We Live in Time” left me spellbound. Their on-screen chemistry was palpable, reminding me of the electric energy between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith – a pairing that still gives me butterflies to this day!
The movie titled “We Live in Time” is a captivating romance featuring an unexpected relationship between Andrew Garfield, a Weetabix data analyst, and Florence Pugh, a vibrant Bavarian-fusion chef. The story unfolds unconventionally, jumping back and forth in time to depict their chance encounter, passionate love story, and tragic parting. Renowned British director John Crowley, who collaborated with Garfield on the 2007 film “Boy A“, shares his bond with screenwriter Nick Payne and the journey of bringing this project to life after a decade of attempting to reconnect.
The Road to We Live in Time
10 years back, I staged a play penned by Nick Payne at the Donmar Warehouse. Since then, we’ve remained friends and explored various projects together. However, one film and a TV series we attempted to create didn’t quite materialize for one reason or another. Yet, we’ve managed to stay connected over the years.
The first time I learned about “We Live in Time” was when Nick messaged me and shared, “I’ve penned another script; it’s headed your way.” It was crafted for SunnyMarch [Benedict Cumberbatch’s production company]. I read the initial draft shortly after. They were just beginning their journey with it at that point. The rest isn’t entirely history yet, but I soon realized that I had a strong connection to it.
Crowley clarifies that the intriguing time leaps were already planned for the story from the outset, expressing it as, “The idea was born like this. The initial draft I encountered contained more content. It featured multiple conclusions. My task, along with Nick, over the subsequent year, was to refine it, stripping it down to its fundamental truths while preserving its heart. We filmed it in that sequence.” However, as Crowley goes on to describe, adjustments were made:
Initially, we discovered upon editing that the sequence wasn’t working as planned. Consequently, our task evolved into disassembling it entirely and locating a comparable initial idea within a brand new framework. This new structure involved three distinct timeframes intersecting, but not in the order they were originally scripted to appear.
The Romantic Chemistry Between Florence Pugh & Andrew Garfield
In Garfield and Pugh’s performances, there’s a powerful and captivating dynamic at play. We Live in Time presents scenes that are deeply personal and leave much to one’s imagination. Crowley talks about how he skillfully casts his actors, collaborates with them on character development, and observes their electric connection blossom during filming.
Before we started filming, we took two weeks for rehearsals which were crucial. As I knew that Andrew, being an experienced actor, thrives on extensive pre-production discussions, we had many conversations about the script in the months leading up to his involvement. He would frequently share his creative visions for the character, and these discussions served as a deep exploration into his acting process.
In the case of Florence, I hadn’t personally met her when I sent her the script. However, I had admired her work immensely and knew she possessed creative drive. Trusting this instinct, I believed they could complement each other well. Additionally, it was a delicate process to pair two distinct actors together. The rehearsal space played a crucial role in making this happen effectively.
According to Crowley, the atmosphere was extremely relaxed without any mention of ‘chemistry’. Instead, it felt like casually reading through the script with no tension or heightened emotions, much like studying a map rather than embarking on an adventurous climb.
They developed a genuine affection for each other quite rapidly, often finding humor together. After approximately three days of practice, it was evident that they were experiencing brief, intense moments – much like star athletes eager to race – their passion was palpable. Over time, they built trust and comfort with one another.
“You Could Feel at That Moment the Depth Between Them”
In the early stages of filming, there was a crucial scene – the one set in the underground car park – that turned out to be pivotal for the movie’s triumph. This was an extraordinary instance where Garfield and Pugh’s hard work culminated in an exceptional ensemble performance, as if destined to happen. As the director shared with us, “The first major scene caused them both quite a bit of apprehension.” They had been more relaxed with lighter scenes up until that point on day four of filming.
Florence phoned both Andrew and me, expressing her bewilderment. Crowley explained that she seemed somewhat apprehensive about it. It appeared as if she didn’t fully grasp what had transpired, yet she was astonished by the level of presence that Andrew provided. The groundwork we laid during rehearsals enabled her to engage with the scene in a truly spontaneous manner, which was incredibly freeing for her. She was overjoyed by this experience. He further stated:
At that instant, you could sense the profound gap between them, which deepened further throughout filming. They both displayed an astonishing lack of self-consciousness in their acting. The production was filled with physical humor, vulnerability, closeness, spontaneity, and the bizarre. They were prepared to dive headfirst into it all without hesitation.
Are Andrew Garfield & Florence Pugh Like Their Characters?
As a movie critic, I found myself pondering over the question of whether or not Felicity Jones and Andrew Garfield mirrored any personal characteristics with their on-screen personas. While Jones is renowned for her vibrant social media cooking demonstrations, Garfield maintains an air of privacy beyond the camera’s lens.
Andrew has a strong knack for intuition, but I haven’t seen much evidence of his data analysis skills yet. It’s possible he could excel at it, though (laughs). In any case, he managed to bring out aspects of Tobias that others might have emphasized his quirks or Mr. Weetabix persona instead. He made it feel authentic and humorous without going overboard.
In a different phrasing, we can say: Crowley shares a kindred affection for cooking, much like her character Almut, which resonates strongly with Florence. Both adore food, relish eating, and have an impressive appetite. Florence even enjoys feeding others on set, using props as snacks. This unique blend of similarities and differences between them and their characters makes them exceptional actors.
Has Crowley been praised frequently for his films and plays? Absolutely! However, what are his thoughts on receiving awards? Is an Oscar nomination significant, a goal he pursues, or simply a promotional tool for We Live in Time>? “The film’s performance matters to me,” Crowley acknowledges. “I care about how it’s received. Both of the actors involved should definitely be considered for all that recognition. Of course, I feel that way. But we don’t do the work for awards; if it leads to wider publicity, then that’s a bonus.
What truly resonates is when people are deeply affected by a movie, and it shows after they’ve watched it. You can sense this during screenings. Often, these viewers will approach one of the actors personally, wanting to express that certain scenes in the film have struck a chord deep within them – perhaps even hitting them emotionally in their gut. To me, such heartfelt reactions are far more valuable than any other aspects of the movie-making process.
At this moment, “We Live in Time” by A24 is available for a limited run at cinemas. For your convenience, please follow the provided link to find screening times near you.
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2024-10-26 01:34