Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield have proven time and time again that they are actors worth worshiping. Their impressive filmography includes a diverse array of roles that showcase their range and dedication to their craft. Known for taking risks in her career, Pugh continues to surprise audiences, while Garfield consistently chooses roles that allow him to reveal new depths of his talents. Now, imagine these two movie giants coming together to tell a love story that’s both poignant and heartbreaking.
In “We Live in Time”, Almuth (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) meet under the most special circumstances – a car accident, Almuth Especially the driver. This unlikely beginning sparks a romance that promises to last a lifetime, even if that life is shorter than either party expected. As they come to terms with their limited time together, Almuth is initially hesitant to become emotionally invested in a relationship that might not bring the results she hopes for, while Tobias is determined to make the best of what they have left. Fight for every precious moment. Their journey is filled with love, conflict, parenthood, and ultimately a heartbreaking goodbye that neither wanted to come so soon.
Nick Payne’s meticulously detailed script takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster ride, deftly weaving themes of love, loss and the fleetingness of time. Through their tears, viewers are forced to reflect on how we use the time we are given. When Almut and Tobias faced the harsh reality of ovarian cancer, Almut questioned the value of undergoing painful chemotherapy that might only slightly prolong her life. “Why should I spend what little time I have left in futility and pain when I could live, be loved, and be happy?” she asks herself, a line that speaks to her inner conflict and captures the heart of the film. The nature of the dilemma.
Director John Crowley’s work may be his most beautiful to date, deftly controlling the story’s time jumps to keep the audience emotionally engaged. The film doesn’t hide its inevitable conclusion or offer false hope; instead, it shows how much two people who are fully aware of their dwindling time with each other can accomplish in a short amount of time. Crowley’s direction, combined with an inventive narrative structure, allows viewers to experience Almut and Tobias’ journey, deepening our understanding of how memory collides with the present and how meaning is created through the accumulation of shared experiences.
Featuring beautifully nuanced performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, We Live in Time is an acting masterclass. Pugh is electrifying as a young woman determined to balance her personal relationships with her professional ambitions, and Garfield delivers the best performance of her career, using Tobias’s natural restraint to reveal deeply intense emotions. Together they ensure that this intricate story reflects our sense of dizziness and gratitude as we face the relentless march of time.
Crowley, whose previous credits include “Halftime,” “Boy A,” “Brooklyn” and “The Goldfinch,” crafts a film that asks questions about how to make the most of our time in the world. Deep question. In “We Live in Time,” he reminds us that life is not about how much time we have, but how we choose to spend it with the people we love.
