Released in the United States on 11 Oct. 2024, the A24 film We Live in Time is a romantic comedy starring award winning actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. The movie follows aspiring chef Almut Brühl (Pugh) and recent divorcée Tobias Durand (Garfield) over the span of ten years as they navigate the complexities of romance while trying to grapple with the unexpected hardships of life. Because the movie covers difficult topics and includes language, sexuality and nudity, it is rated R, meaning those under 17 are not allowed to watch it in theaters without being accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
As someone who enjoys a weepy, tragic romance, I was ecstatic when this movie hit theaters. And despite the mixed reviews, I found it to be a beautiful and realistic depiction of love and grief.
As mentioned above, this film depicts the love story of Almut and Tobias, with the movie continuously switching between three crucial time periods in their relationship: their first meeting, the birth of their only daughter, and Almut’s recurring battle with ovarian cancer. While the constant changes in time period may seem sporadic and unnecessary for those who prefer a straightforward plotline, I found this made the movie that much more engaging. This left me continually trying to guess what the next scene would portray, keeping me heavily invested in the character’s stories.
Throughout this film there are many heartwarming and comical moments, such as the birth of their daughter in a gas station bathroom. But in my opinion, this is not what makes the movie memorable. But rather, Pugh and Garfield’s excellent portrayal of every emotion–from joy to anger to grief–make this movie worth watching.
While this film has received some criticism for its rather montone and melancholic feel, I would argue that this tone perfectly suits the raw and heavy themes this movie portrays. We Live in Time does not fit into the category of your typical, sappy rom-com, and I’m glad it didn’t try too. This movie is not meant to simply be a love story, but a reflection on the importance of cherishing every moment, no matter how miniscule, of the limited time we are given on this earth.
Although this movie is marketed as a comedy, don’t be fooled: multiple scenes left me teary eyed and heartbroken. But despite the painful ending and difficult themes, this movie serves as a crucial reminder that grief, as painful as it can be, is the byproduct of loving someone. Almut and Tobias’s story beautifully demonstrates how love transcends lifetimes, and even after death the impact of a person remains. To experience this masterpiece for yourself, you can watch John Crowley’s We Live in Time in theaters or stream the movie on Apple TV, Amazon, or Fandango.
