Romantic films are easy to find. There are entire network television channels dedicated to them, but finding one rom-com that is so brilliant yet mediocre is a magical feat. And that isn’t necessarily a back-handed compliment but more commentary on the fact that everything under the sun with this genre has been done. Even looking at things that try to be insanely creative, like Last Christmas (2019), it’s obvious that the story in the song it’s based on is what happens. So why does John Crowley’s (Brooklyn) newest, We Live in Time, work? It’s simply the chemistry between the two leads. With some of the behind-the-scenes news coming out (Andrew Garfield stating they didn’t hear that cut was called during a sex scene), that passionate chemistry is nearly undeniable, and that is more than enough to carry this whirlwind romance.
L-R: Florence Pugh as Almut and Andrew Garfield as Tobias in WE LIVE IN TIME. Photo Credit: Peter Mountain. Photo courtesy of A24.
The movie focuses on Almut (Florence Pugh), who’s an up-and-coming chef, as she is driving home one night and accidentally runs down Tobias (Andrew Garfield). What an insane and wild way to tell the story to your eventual kids: Mom accidentally ran down Dad, Sweetie, but that is the story of how we first met. From there, a romance builds, dissipates, rebuilds, and then hits heartbreak with a cancer diagnosis. It’s told in a non-linear story whose time is often inferred based on where the characters are in life, and where their lives have led to. Told in a standard linear way, We Live in Time would’ve probably been incredibly dull and formulaic, performances aside, but something about the trajectory of this story shifting between time periods and organically breathing, allowing it to unfold untraditionally, brings something special to the forefront of the screen.
L-R: Florence Pugh as Almut and Andrew Garfield as Tobias in WE LIVE IN TIME. Photo Credit: Peter Mountain. Photo courtesy of A24.
While telling a story of romance that leads to a family and tragedy is usually the same formula time and time again, Nick Payne’s (The Last Letter from Your Lover) script lacks something special, unfortunately. There is nothing new, nothing breathing new life into something that has been told a literal thousand-fold at this point, but still, We Live in Time manages to do something a lot of romantic dramedies usually manage to fail at — hitting you right in the heart. Sure, this can be summed up to the likes of Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook), but this isn’t a case of abuse or a fire, this is a cancer diagnosis and a passion for each other, fighting for each other, and wanting to survive. John Crowley was not the expectant choice for a director as his movies are usually not so cookie-cutter, but matching his direction with Payne’s script and the brilliance of Pugh (Dune: Part Two; Midsommar) and Garfield is simply why We Live in Time works.
L-R: Andrew Garfield as Tobias and Florence Pugh as Almut in WE LIVE IN TIME. Photo Credit: Peter Mountain. Photo courtesy of A24.
When two actors are brought together on a project to be romantically involved, they need to believe they, as their characters, are in a relationship, out of a relationship, or dying for the audience to believe the emotion they’re conveying. Truly, you can have one of the most heartbreaking and touching scripts and direction, but if the cast cannot fall for each other and make the audience believe in their romance, then you truly have nothing. Pugh and Garfield feel like they’ve been in this relationship for the decade the story is telling. The love, heartbreak, and fear is so palatable that it goes to show, and continues to prove, that they are two of the best working today.
L-R: Andrew Garfield as Tobias and Florence Pugh as Almut in WE LIVE IN TIME. Photo courtesy of A24.
With a story that is as old as time itself, direction that breathes life into a storybook tale, and two brilliant performances that entrap the audience, We Live in Time one of the best romantic movies to come out in years. This is a dramatic romance that is going to hold its own against some very heavy hitters and one that is going to be remembered as a bonafide classic.
Screening during Toronto International Film Festival 2024.
In select theaters October 11th, 2024.
In wide release October 18th, 2024.
For more information, head either to the official We Live in Time Toronto International Film Festival 2024 webpage or the A24 webpage.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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