Tick. Tick. Tick.
For every one of us, the clock is always moving. Time moves forward and lives have moments that are worth celebrating (and others that… aren’t). In some ways, this may sound cliché. However, when we look back upon our lives, these moments combine to tell a story that, somehow, feels greater than ourselves. This is the spirit within John Crowley’s stunning romance, We Live in Time, a film that is far more than any time-travelling romance.
In We Live in Time, we’re introduced to Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield), two people whose lives come together in the most surprising of encounters. Their connection is immediate and the two begin to build a life. But We Live’s non-linear structure ensures that we watch their romance in a constantly shifting sequence. They build a home, become a family and fall deeply in love. Yet, there are also moments that threaten to break down what has been built as well. But, regardless of how much Time they may have, we know that every piece of their elaborate puzzle matters.
Through the way it plays with time, Crowley takes what could have been a standard melodrama and fills it with energy. Admittedly though, the bedrock of We Live lies with its two stars as Pugh and Garfield have positively palpable chemistry onscreen together. Having established herself as a woman of strength and fire over her career, Pugh brings Alma to life. She is funny and charming yet also furious and driven. Mixed with the affability that Garfield can bring, the two are create an undeniable bond that makes their relationship believable.
But Crowley’s film is special insofar as it highlights the moments that matter in our lives. With each jump forward and back, We Live sits with Almut and Tobias in moments that feel ubiquitous for many families. The birth of their child. The spark of their romance. The phone call from the doctor than changes everything. While these ticks of the clock aren’t unusual, Crowley’s shifting of time reveals each of them as important. Fleeting as it may be, these are the moments that often define a life.
Quite literally, time marches on and we are powerless against it.
At the same time, they don’t necessarily determine one’s legacy either. Without giving any spoilers, the filmwants to discuss what it means to make the most of that Time as well. For example, Almut’s career has always been a driving force behind her life. Her passion for creating perfection in the kitchen is what gives her life. She is thrilled at every opportunity to crack an egg the right way or garnish her dish at the proper angle. Her accomplishments are part of who she is and she wants to be known for her accomplishments.
Although, is our legacy solely based on what we do? We Live tackles this question with intensity and honesty as we watch this couple find love while trying to also find out who they are. As their relationship grows, the film explores what matters most in the composition of a lifetime. After all, all of our time is limited. And what needs to be left behind in order to ‘matter’?
This is spirit of humanism is what lies behind We Live in Time but it’s also what makes it so magical. Despite the fact that they’re the primary focus of the film, Almut and Tobias’ journey could be anyone’s. We Live in Time understands that there’s enchantment in the everyday and beauty in the love that we leave behind.
We Live in Time is available in theatres on Friday, October 18th, 2024.
