We Live In Time explores the many facets of life in a way that celebrates every moment. It takes a premise primarily confined to a typical tearjerker about love in a time of sickness and completely goes beyond those tropes to deliver an authentically profound human story.
The film, directed by John Crowley, follows Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) as they navigate through over a decade of the life they’ve built together. While walking back to his hotel after grabbing essentials (chocolate oranges and a pen) at a local convenience store so he can sign his divorce papers, he wanders into the road, where Almut hits him in her car. Waking up disoriented, he meets her in the hospital, and they share a dinner, and he is invited to go to her new restaurant opening. From that, unfortunately violent, although serendipitous meet-cute, a romance is born.
We Live in Time‘s non-linear narrative structure elevates its themes. We bounce around through various moments in Almut and Tobias’s journey; how it’s laid out is reminiscent of recalling memories. As you tell one story, you remember details about another and then more about a different time. Watching their journey unravel piece by piece in these vignettes is captivating. We get to witness everything – life’s beautiful, tumultuous, and tragic moments and how they weave together to become something extraordinary.
From the jump, we can see the fire in Almut’s spirit. She has many accolades, including being an award-winning chef of Anglo-Bavarian cuisine. She’s self-assured, driven, and confident in every aspect of her life. It’s a stark contrast to Tobias – his job is very “ordinary,” he’s out of dating practice, and he’s in the midst of a new chapter. Tobias is soft, very technical or matter-of-fact, and not ashamed of being normal. Almut, on the other hand, relishes her ambition. Together, their differences balance the relationship, which allows them to bring out the best in one another. Of course, they can quarrel, but they thoroughly understand each other.
Their relationship is beyond charming and feels so genuine. So many moments of comedy and awkward bits connect us to these characters on the screen. There is nothing elegant about life – we’re not perfect characters. We falter, lie, and stumble; this film embraces that. I was surprised at how funny this was. One wild, standout scene is the birth of their daughter. I won’t say anything to spoil how it plays out, but the whole day is intercut between other moments of their life, and the actual birthing scene is easily one of the most hilarious of the year. The fact that the film’s tone can shift so frequently is a testament to Nick Payne’s airtight screenplay and how everyone collaborated to bring We Live In Time‘s story to life authentically.
In dealing with her illness, Almut strives to be remembered for her many accomplishments, not as “just somebody’s dead mom.” Although this can be seen as potentially selfish at the moment, you learn so much about her ambitious spirit by this point that you understand her perspective completely. She struggles with fears of being forgotten. You can see how much she loves her daughter and Tobias and how the world they created together is filled with so much joy. But, the crushing weight of mortality lingers. This pivotal scene envelops us in the dread she feels. But, just as Almut wanted, this story celebrates her big and small contributions and her life – not her suffering. The final moments of the film are so touching. Even thinking about it now still gives me chills. It calls back to moments earlier in the movie with Almut and wraps up the themes of the human condition and the immeasurable impact we each carry into this world in one lovingly profound bow.
I honestly can’t say enough glowing words to describe how incredible the two leads are. In every film, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield have the most enchanting ability that allows the audience to palpably experience every ounce of the emotional weight alongside their characters. Their pain cuts us deep; we share their joy and cry with them when they cry. This magic that they harness is integral to the story. I’m not sure this film would have hit as hard as it did without Pugh and Garfield. They were absolutely magnetic. The movie focuses on the two of them and hinges on their chemistry. It’s as though Pugh’s and Garfield’s performances become one by the end.
This story is not necessarily groundbreaking, but the narrative structure and brilliant performances make We Live In Time an exceptional take on a melodrama. I came into the film expecting to cry, and I did, but I got so much more than that. I laughed hard, saw myself in bits of Almut and Tobias, and received a gentle reminder to take pleasure in all life offers.
Rating: 9/10