As a seasoned film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have seen my fair share of love stories that tug at the heartstrings and leave audiences with a lingering sense of nostalgia. Yet, every now and then, a film comes along that truly stands out from the crowd – and We Live in Time is one such masterpiece.
The beauty of love stories is that they are a universal language known to us all. It almost doesn’t matter what fashion you present them in if the classic ingredients come together as they should. Director John Crawley’s We Live in Time, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, is aware of its strengths and projects them within a non-linear concoction where actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield will both warm your heart in the face of a union that has a definite end date.
Regardless of its unique style, it’s clear that the movie will reach a definite conclusion. However, there are instances where sticking to traditional methods works better, especially if one has the self-assurance to make that choice.
Garfield & Pugh Stun in Another Terminal Romance
Initiating their endeavor, Crawley along with writer Nick Payne swiftly aimed at the approaching twilight of this marriage, visible as a sunset on the horizon. Characters Almut (Pugh) and Tobias (Garfield) are hit by an unwelcome piece of information – Almut has late-stage ovarian cancer. It is from this jolt of the diagnosis that the story We Live in Time is built.
Would you rather have a tremendous six-month period with death peaking over your shoulder or undergo grueling chemotherapy treatment for a year, in which the result might be the same anyway? In these beginning scenes, you see Garfield’s ability to emote through his facial expressions and Pugh’s penchant for bridging confidence and vulnerability. Both methods are marvelous, working in conjunction with one another.
We Live in Timelines and Hospitals
As you ponder over their peculiar encounter, Crawley seamlessly extracts you from the melancholy and immerses you into the unconventional start of their relationship. It’s not like they were casually sipping coffee at a café and found themselves intrigued by each other. Instead, an unfortunate event occurs – Almut accidentally strikes Tobias with her car while he’s crossing an intersection. Under normal circumstances, a hospital visit wouldn’t be associated with a first date, but unfortunately for this couple, hospitals will play a recurring role throughout the four timelines that this film unfolds.
At a delicate point in time, Almut and Tobias (sporting a neck brace) set the standards for their deepening romance. The dynamic duo of Crawley and Payne often transport you to various eras, offering an immersive experience that can be disconcerting at times, as there are no clear signals indicating where exactly in the story you find yourself.
Regardless of its somewhat disjointed vocabulary, the movie We Live in Time manages to convey its main message effectively. For instance, we discover that Almut and Tobias have a daughter named Ella (Grace Delaney), whom they both break the news to in an amusingly unforeseen restaurant scene. Later, the film flashes back to reveal that having children was not initially part of this couple’s plan. Almut had already battled cancer once, which increased the risks associated with childbirth for her.
Florence Pugh & Andrew Garfield Are Key to the Film’s Success
Beyond this point, there are differing views on how their relationship will manifest. Almut, a versatile chef, appreciates Tobias’ companionship, yet is equally motivated by the prospect of professional success. Prior to meeting Almut, Tobias was going through a divorce. Despite being kind-hearted and nurturing, Tobias needs to adapt his traditional expectations to some extent when it comes to their relationship.
Witnessing them traverse that shared path and achieve a harmonious resolution is captivating. The interaction between Pugh and Garfield seems genuine, lending credibility to their on-screen relationship. Whether it’s the excitement of their initial encounter or intricate discussions about an uncertain tomorrow, their connection resonates deeply. Almut, portrayed by Pugh, is driven by a desire to establish a lasting legacy for her daughter that she can be proud of.
Too Little of a Beautiful Thing
In the story We Live in Time, the main struggle revolves around Almut’s decision to participate in a high-profile culinary competition despite her tough ordeal, which is vividly portrayed by Crawley. Simultaneously, Almut finds solace and strength in her companionship with Tobias and her assistant chef, Jade (played by Lee Braithwaite). Through dialogue, Pugh effectively communicates Almut’s aspirations and apprehensions, while Garfield poignantly depicts the emotional turmoil of a man watching his precious time with his loved one dwindle away as a husband.
The movie seems to blend uplifting and challenging scenes in a seemingly haphazard manner, as life can sometimes be unpredictable and unstructured. Due to the disjointed nature of We Live in Time, there are instances where the character development or plot twists leave you yearning for more depth. Given the abundance of important moments and conflicts crammed into a little over an hour and a half, it’s possible that our desire to see this couple overcome the odds and continue their journey together forever is what leaves us wanting more.
The movie “We Live in Time” achieves its goal as we naturally find ourselves cheering for romance against the relentless march of time. This A24 production is set to hit cinemas on October 11, 2024, and is currently being showcased at TIFF; for more details, visit here.
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2024-09-11 20:33