Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield revitalise the romantic drama with We Live In Time, a dream for the hopeless romantic, pulling at heartstrings and leaving cinema-goers in tears.
London-based romance films, whether rom-coms or dramas, are always at risk of playing into those British big-city cliches that can seem unrelatable, overdone, and lacking in depth to the average non-Londoner. Beautiful, poignant, and oh-so frustrating, We Live In Time does more than just avoid this. Telling the story of a relationship developing throughout time, we have the pleasure of getting to know Almut (Florence Pugh), and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) throughout a chronologically defiant storyline, giving us snippets of their lives, past and present, as we watch something uniquely beautiful develop.
We become familiar with Almut and Tobias throughout these fragments of their lives, their story becoming more compelling, their characters more ‘real’ with each scene. Their love story is very normal, yet something extremely special. After they are brought together by a shock accident, they begin a journey discovering an unlikely connection and relationship that neither expected. The kind-hearted Tobias, recent divorcee, works at Weetabix (yes, the cereal!), while Almut is a sharp-witted and independent professional chef. As we watch the relationship unfold, developing over time through both wins and defeats, they merge into one another like they always belonged there. Director John Crowley recreates a feeling audiences have been craving ever since the likes of BBC series Normal People, the characters well-rounded and developed and the relationship believable. Whilst their skill was never in doubt, Pugh and Garfield’s chemistry is electric and never-faltering.
Watching We Live In Time, whenever you’re not crying, you’re probably laughing (and nearly crying). The film plays with humour in a way that honours the sensitivity of the topics at hand, especially with Almut’s strikingly short sense of humour, and references to popular British culture. Acting as a bittersweet fall-back for the couple’s developing relationship, it creates a sense of comfort for both the characters and audience alike. Laughter is said to be the best medicine, taking a front-row seat in Almut and Tobias’ relationship, grounding the couple in their most difficult moments. In turn, flipping the narrative and turning hardship into sentiment.
We Live In Time is nothing short of a nerve-racking watch, knowing that at any possible moment something small, yet painful, was about to throw a spanner in the works. When Almut is diagnosed with ovarian cancer for the second time, the cosy, ‘meet-cute’ influenced rom-com atmosphere is turned on its head. We see the couple’s desperation play out, and really begin to feel not only for them, but with them. Tobias constantly appears on the brink of crumbling, teetering on the verge of tears. They’re desperate to make things work.
Director John Crowley and writer Nick Payne approach sensitive issues with care, understanding, and a clear abundance of knowledge. Almut’s struggles and personal feelings towards motherhood and her struggles strike deep. Pugh herself took to Instagram in mid-October to promote We Live In Time, describing the character of Almut as “a woman who is current and relatable and going through all of the conversations that modern women are going through daily.” Almut struggles with the reality of slowing down following her cancer diagnosis and treatment, not wanting to be known as simply just a ‘mother,’ or someone that didn’t try, or didn’t achieve her goals due to ‘weakness.’
Heed the warnings to keep tissues on hand when watching Crowley’s tearjerker. We Live In Time is devastatingly beautiful, and a much-needed revitalisation of the British romance scene. If there’s one thing that ‘us Brits’ do best, it’s our romance. Relatable, reflective, and moving, We Live In Time is a must-watch going into 2025.
Words by Mia Stapleton
We Live In Time will be in UK cinemas from 1 January
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