We Live in Time
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We Live in Time movie review
John Crowley's "We Live in Time," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, revives the romantic drama genre, blending elements of doomed love stories in the vein of "The Notebook," while injecting a post-pandemic relevance. With powerful lead performances by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, the film manages to evoke the nostalgia of classic weepy romance but with a fresh angle that feels unexpected in today’s cinematic landscape.
The film’s jumbled narrative structure may challenge some viewers, as it flits between four timelines without clear markers, leaving the audience to orient themselves by the physical states of the characters—particularly Pugh’s Almut, who is battling cancer. These narrative jumps, though initially disorienting, reveal an emotional logic, mimicking the way memories come to us out of order, especially in moments of reflection near the end of life. Almut and her partner Tobias (Garfield) are faced with a heart-wrenching decision early in the film: six months of a fuller life versus a year of grueling, uncertain chemotherapy. This premise sets the stage for the film’s deep dive into the couple’s relationship, their past struggles, and their attempts to find meaning in limited time.
One of the strengths of "We Live in Time" is how it presents both the big life events—cancer diagnoses, the birth of a child—and the small moments that define a relationship. For instance, the audience witnesses the initial spark between Almut and Tobias, which humorously begins with her accidentally hitting him with her car. The film then explores their relationship’s evolution, including the challenge of reconciling the possibility of never having children due to Almut’s prior cancer diagnosis, and the poignant memory of their pregnancy, culminating in one of the more unforgettable childbirth scenes in recent cinema.
For some viewers, the non-linear structure might detract from the film’s emotional weight, as it leaves little time to linger in any one period of their lives. However, for others, this fragmented storytelling mirrors the way a life flashes before one's eyes, with different moments rising to the surface at different times. Director Crowley and editor Justine Wright forego clear time stamps or markers, forcing the audience to engage closely with the visual and emotional cues that guide them through Almut and Tobias’ journey.
Despite the narrative hurdles, the film is carried by the stellar performances of Pugh and Garfield. Pugh, as expected, deftly navigates the wide emotional range required of her character—portraying a woman grappling with mortality while trying to hold onto the joys of life. However, it’s Garfield who particularly stands out, his expressive face capturing the grief, love, and quiet desperation of a man watching his partner slowly slip away. Both actors bring an authenticity to their roles, making even the film’s more manipulative moments feel grounded and sincere. Their palpable chemistry and the film’s portrayal of an adult relationship give "We Live in Time" a mature edge over similar films that often lean into melodrama.
Crowley’s direction also challenges the current trend of sexless, sanitized romances in film, presenting the couple’s intimacy with realism and depth, highlighting their emotional and physical connection. This, paired with the film’s earnest and unabashed sentimentality, harkens back to an earlier era of romantic dramas, where emotional manipulation was part of the ride.
There’s a sense that the film is actively pushing the audience’s emotional buttons—after all, weaving two cancer battles, a romance, childbirth, and end-of-life decisions into a single film is a delicate balancing act. Yet, for those who are willing to embrace the film’s sentimentality, it may not matter. "We Live in Time" taps into universal fears and desires: the fragility of life, the hope of lasting love, and the need to make the most of the time we have with the people we cherish.
In a world that’s become increasingly cynical, films like "We Live in Time" remind us why we keep coming back to these kinds of stories—whether it’s because we’re fortunate enough to have found our great love or because we still hold out hope for it. And while the film may not win over everyone, for those it touches, it will be a memorable, cathartic experience.
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