John Crowley’s new romantic drama We Live in Time has two things going for it: the leads, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, and a non-linear structure.
It’s been a while since I’ve experienced a traditional romantic tragedy in today’s cinema, so maybe it was because I was reminded how much I enjoy the genre when it’s well executed that I could look past the story’s fairly basic narrative. Here we have a couple dealing with unfortunate circumstances amid ordinary relationship developments, and it’s completely sold by the actors.
Set in modern London, from the early 2010s to 2023, Almut Brühl (Pugh) is a successful chef who runs a high-end restaurant on top of winning cooking competitions, while Tobias Darmund (Garfield) works in the marketing department of a cereal company. The pair have an unusual introduction when Almut sends Tobias to the hospital after she accidentally hits him with her car. A decade later, they’re happily living together with their 4-year-old daughter, Ella (Grace Delaney), when Almut discovers she has contracted ovarian cancer.
Douglas Hodge and Lee Braithwaite co-star as Tobias’ father and Almut’s colleague-turned-cooking partner. We Live in Time was written by playwright Nick Payne.
Crowley returns to the familiar territory of his previous critical hit Brooklyn (2015) following attractive young people in love. Here the director plus editor Justine Wright effectively tells our tale out of order, but not in a confusing or convoluted way, or spoon-fed with title cards for dates and locations.
But it’s the performances by Garfield — reuniting with Crowley since breaking through in Boy A (2007) two decades ago — and Pugh who hold the film together. Two of the best working actors of each’s generation effortlessly showing off their range from the dramatic monologues and arguments to the amusing comic relief in between. The love scenes are also a refreshing return to the graphic, yet sensual, passion in R-rated dramas.
On paper, We Live in Time doesn’t really add anything new to its genre, and would come across as derivative if the scenes were in traditional order. But if you’re a fan of movie romances and the two stars, it could be enough for you.
News
Why ‘Outer Banks’ Star Rudy Pankow Found His Own Story in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’
In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast features in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy actors and creators. Join host and senior editor Vinnie Mancuso for this guide to living the creative life from those who are doing it every day. On this…
Jennifer Aniston and Kristen Bell Spill Shocking Fears: “No One Would Ever Guess!”
“Friends” star Aniston confessed being in the air or underwater terrifies her. While Aniston was jet-setting with “Friends” co-star Courteney Cox, she shared that her trip took a turn for the worse when she traveled by plane in 2019. Jennifer Aniston,…
“Netflix’s ‘Nobody Wants This’ Is Inspired by a True Story – Meet the Real Couple Behind It”
The sunflower moment in Nobody Wants This actually happened with creator Erin Foster and her husband, Simon Tikhman. Netflix Starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell, Nobody Wants This follows Joanne (Bell) and Noah (Brody), an agnostic podcast host and an unconventional rabbi who seem like…
“Becki Newton’s Pre-Fame Role Shows Just How Far She’s Come from The Lincoln Lawyer”
She plays Lorna Crane in the Netflix legal drama Becki Newton has won legions of loyal fans for her fashion-forward onscreen characters, but before she became a household name on Ugly Betty, she had a very different role. The Lincoln Lawyer star featured…
“Outer Banks Stars Reveal How Season 4’s Jaw-Dropping Finale Sets Up an Intense Season 5”
Outer Banks season 4 stars and creators address the major character’s death. With the confirmation that Outer Banks season 5 will be the end of Netflix’s treasure-hunting drama, the remaining five episodes in the fourth installment had to go big in some way. However,…
What did Allyn Moriyon say after his d.e.ath in The Lincoln Lawyer?
I’m Still Upset About Eddie’s Death In The Lincoln Lawyer, But I Also Agree With The Showrunner’s Comments About Why They ‘Nailed That’ Story Spoilers for Season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer are ahead! If you aren’t caught up, you can stream…
End of content
No more pages to load