As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the intricacies of cinematic storytelling, I must say that the evolution of the ending for “We Live in Time” is truly fascinating. Having personally experienced the impact of unexpected life events, I can appreciate the emotional resonance that both endings carry.
On October 18, 2024, the film “We Live in Time,” produced by A24, will be premiered in cinemas. This is a romantic drama that spans over a decade and features Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in lead roles. The plot revolves around Tobias (Garfield) and Almut (Pugh), whose paths cross one fateful day and leads to an unusual ten-year romance. Since then, Almut’s cancer diagnosis has significantly affected their lives. With some elements of a romantic comedy, the unconventional narrative structure and captivating chemistry between Garfield and Pugh have earned critical praise.
For those who’ve watched the movie “We Live in Time”, it could be intriguing to know that the film initially had a completely different, original ending compared to what is shown. Discussing the significant contrast between these two alternative endings and gaining insights from director John Crowley and actor Andrew Garfield about why they decided to alter the ending will provide a clearer understanding of the final scenes in “We Live in Time”.
What Is We Live in Time About?
Written by Nick Payne, We Live in Time is a powerful romantic drama helmed by John Crowley. The narrative, presented out of sequence to evoke the feeling of fragmented recollections, revolves around Tobias Durand (portrayed by Garfield), a breakfast cereal sales representative, and Almut Bruhl (an impressive portrayal by Pugh), an aspiring chef. In a state of distress following his impending divorce, Tobias meets Almut when she accidentally hits him with her car on the street, causing severe injuries that necessitate immediate medical attention.
Guilt-ridden, Almut extends an invitation to Tobias and his spouse for dinner at her unique blend of German and fusion cuisine restaurant. Unfortunately, Tobias neglects to inform Almut about their divorce, arrives at the eatery unaccompanied, and they share an intimate moment. Time elapses, and their connection deepens; Andrew admits his affection for Almut and desires to build a family with her. However, Almut declines Andrew’s feelings. At a baby shower for one of Almut’s coworkers, Tobias reiterates his enduring love for Almut, and they reconnect.
The course of life for the couple takes an unexpected turn when Almut receives an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Almut decides on treatment aimed at halting the cancer’s progression, ultimately choosing a hysterectomy as advised by her doctor. Tobias stands by her steadfastly, and they both make efforts to have a child. After much struggle, they welcome their daughter, Ella (Grace Delaney), into their lives on New Year’s Eve. The film then shifts between different time periods to portray the next ten years in Almut and Tobias’ relationship.
The Ending of We Live in Time in the Final Cut
For ten years, Almut battles her illness as she ascends the ladder in the culinary world, striving for her dream. After launching a new restaurant and becoming the executive chef, Almut’s cancer progresses to stage 3, and her family debates whether to continue treatment. At this critical juncture, Almut finds herself faced with a difficult choice between prioritizing her health or her culinary ambitions, leading to an emotionally poignant conclusion that will linger in memory.
In a turn of events, Almut embarks on chemotherapy treatments while her colleague, Adam James (Simon), proposes they participate together in the globally recognized Bocuse d’Or French culinary contest. Undeterred by the clash with her wedding and health appointments, Almut sets her sights on victory. Making it to the final round, she faces a tough decision: forfeit the competition or leave her wedding day behind to pursue victory in Italy. Choosing her career over family obligations, Tobias becomes enraged by her choice.
When Almut shares with Tobias that she’d rather Ella recall her mother’s grandeur instead of her prolonged illness, Tobias calls off the wedding and stands by their decision. As Almut competes in Italy, Tobias and Ella watch with affection, but they soon see her health deteriorate rapidly. With the assistance of her sous-chef Jade (Lee Braithwaite), Almut completes the competition. Afterward, Almut reunites with Tobias and Ella at an ice skating rink nearby.
In the finale of “We Live in Time”, Tobias instructs Ella on how to crack an egg – a skill Almut once taught him. This suggests that Almut, who had cancer, has unfortunately passed away. Her pet dog was meant to be given to Ella upon her mother’s demise, hinting at this tragic event.
We Live in Time’s Original Ending, Explained by Garfield and Crowley
Even though the finale of the movie “We Live in Time” had a powerful emotional resonance, the initial script for it presented an entirely distinct conclusion. This change was more about adjusting to the film’s complex, non-linear narrative structure than a complete overhaul. Originally, Almut would have informed her family that her cancer had gone into remission instead of the tragic revelation in the final version. The scene where this occurs is still present in the movie, serving as a pivotal moment marking the transition to Almut’s cooking competition during the second act.
As for the final egg-cracking sequence, Garfield tells Entertainment Weekly:
During filming, we hadn’t realized that the ice skating scene would turn out to be Almut’s last scene, nor did we know that the egg-cracking scene with our daughter would be the concluding scene. These changes were editorial decisions made by John, and some scenes we shot weren’t included in the final cut.
As a cinephile, I must confess, on the very day of filming the pivotal remission scene, Director John Crowley felt a sense of satisfaction. Yet, he emphasized that relocating this scene to the heart of the narrative significantly amplified its dramatic resonance.
In a different wording: “When she walked through the old door, she declared, ‘I’m in remission.’ I felt incredibly proud of that moment during filming. It was an emotional scene, truly heartwarming, and I believed it would convey the idea that she carries on living even after death.
You narrate tales about mortality as a means to cope with such profound subjects and find significance amidst the void. I had hoped that if we were granted a single chance to meet her beyond time itself, it would provide clarity. However, it seemed more like a puzzle, leaving me perplexed.
In the film where time is creatively manipulated, I found myself astonished at how relocating just two pivotal moments resulted in an incredibly poignant finale. To put it simply, it added a profound emotional depth to the narrative.
The act of them waving goodbye at the ice rink carries a hint of finality. It’s as if the vacant rooms echo with the harsh reality of sorrow, stirring the doubt, ‘Could this not be the end? She can’t truly be gone, could she?’ This is what death often represents – the lingering hope that she might soon reappear.
We Live in Time is currently playing in select cinemas.
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2024-10-25 01:02