Introduction
We Live in Time is a romantic drama about love, illness, and the ephemeral nature of time, set to release in 2024. John Crowley directed the film while Nick Payne wrote the screenplay. With Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in the lead roles, the film promises powerful performances. Primarily shot in London, it tells the story of two people brought together by circumstance but destined to be torn apart. The film examines their relationship using a non-linear structure, infusing emotional depth and innovative storytelling to both joyful beginnings and sorrowful endings.
Plot Summary
The story opens with a distinct but delightful meeting. To buy a pen, Tobias Durand, who works as an executive for a cereal company, strolls into the street and wears his bathrobe. This unusual sight grabs the attention of Almut Brühl, a Bavarian-fusion chef, who accidentally hits him with her car. This chance encounter serves as the turning point for both their lives.
Through overcoming the mishap of their initial meeting, Tobias and Almut develop a romantic bond that is tender and sincere. Almut is deeply devoted to her profession as a chef, while Tobias is finalizing a divorce. Casting aside all uncertainties, the couple falls head over heels in love, purchasing a cottage together and planning out their lives. Eventually, they brought a daughter, Ella, into the world; even this moment was hectic as it took place in a gas station restroom during a traffic jam.
Beneath the veneer of domestic life, however, a cancer diagnosis looms. Almut is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her initial treatment involved surgery, which resulted in a temporary remission. However, the cancer returned even more aggressively, this time as stage three cancer, and forced the couple to make devastating decisions and navigate deep emotional pain.
Considered fiercely independent, Almut struggles with the idea of being remembered solely as a patient or a mother. Despite Tobias’s concerns, she covertly begins training to compete in the esteemed culinary competition, Bocuse d’or. Almut’s determination to pursue this personal ambition becomes a core conflict in the film, particularly as mid-stage chronic symptoms begin to derail her health. Tobias wishes to shield her from any potential stressors, but Almut fiercely counters with a desire to define her life by passion and purpose instead of the illness.
The couple’s relationship, while rooted in love, experiences strain because of these opposing priorities. Shifts in focus lead to arguments, particularly after Tobias finds out about Almut’s covert training. Even with these conflict-laden moments, love persists, as does dedication. In the final chapter of her life, Tobias becomes her caregiver, partner, and greatest support system.
Instead of offering grand gestures as Almut’s condition declines, the film depicts intimate moments: quiet conversations in the kitchen, emotional reconciliations, fleeting bursts of joy set against a backdrop of deep grief. While these moments may seem simple in scope, they manage to convey deep complexity. Viewers witness the full emotional range of the couple’s relationship as the interwoven non-chronological courtship floods memories with joy alongside the enduring challenges of her illness.
Performances
As Tobias, Andrew Garfield blends warmth, sincerity, and compelling depth. He offers a nuanced and authentic portrayal of a person grappling with love, parenting, and profound loss. The character balances humor and lightness alongside crushing sorrow, adding to the depth and relatability.
So, too, is Florence Pugh’s Almut equally as captivating. Passionate and deeply human, she imbues life and vigor with Almut’s striking strength and vulnerability. Almut’s fierce tenacity in the face of chronic illness and her determination not to be defined by the diagnosis renders her one of Pugh’s most complex characters to date.
Their chemistry on screen is palpable, and alongside Grace Delaney—portraying their daughter Ella—the supporting cast enrich the film’s emotional texture without taking away focus from the primary relationship. The audience is made to believe in the love and the pain that entwines the characters because of Delaney and Pugh’s performance.
Themes
At We Live in Time’s core, it is a reflection on the essence of time, love, and legacy. The film’s fragmented structure emulates the way individuals recall life—not as a sequence, but as an episodic collection of intense emotional moments. This structure enhances the poignancy of each scene and compels the audience to confront the transience of happiness and the inevitability of sorrow.
The film considers the conflict of personal aspiration and familial obligations. Almut’s decision to compete in a world-class cooking competition while battling cancer symbolizes self-definition in the face of tremendous odds. Rather than accepting a static, passive role, she chooses to design her last months with purpose and vitality.
Another central theme is the role of caregiving. The transformation of Tobias from a carefree partner to a dedicated caregiver marks the evolution of love over time—not merely through shared dreams but, through profound choices and profound sacrifices.
There is a noteworthy commentary on parenthood as well, especially concerning the notion of being a good parent when one is short on time. Almut’s worry of being remembered solely as a dying mother accentuates the yearning to be known as a person with a full life and identity apart from her illness.
Cinematography and Direction
John Crowley’s direction is imbued with a kind of quiet sensitivity that allows the film to unfold in authentic real-time. The use of warm, natural light and close, intimate framing in the cinematography highlights the small moments that constitute a shared life, like glances, gestures, and the preparation and consumption of meals. These choices contribute significantly to the deeply human atmosphere of the film.
Dessner’s score, while complementing the emotional terrain, does so without overpowering the scenes. It highlights the joy and melancholy characterizing Tobias and Almut’s journey with gentle melodic motifs that support the narrative’s shifts through time.
Reception
We Live in Time was praised for its emotional insight, acted with sensitivity, and handling complex issues with elegance. Audiences described the film as heartbreaking but uplifting, offering contemplation on our lives, time, and “living” even amidst hardships.
While some critics pointed out that non-linear structure might lose viewers expecting a more straightforward romance, most agreed that the film is enhanced by this approach. It underscores how we call to mind actual relationships: not in chronological order from first to last but in fragments, impressions, and feelings.
Conclusion
We Live in Time remains an evocative and incisive exploration of love, death, and life-defining choices. Supported by stellar performances from Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, the film depicts movingly a chance encounter of two individuals intertwined by devotion. Avoiding melodrama, the film strives for honesty in choosing quiet moments rather than bold statements. We are reminded that while we cannot decide how much time we have, we can determine how we live each hour.
This work goes beyond a mere love tale; instead, it contemplates the essence of collaboration, the significance of recollection, and the importance of intentionality in one’s life. For audiences who value compelling narratives rooted in reality alongside multi-dimensional performances, We Live In Time offers an experience that is both unforgettable and deeply significant.
Watch Free Movies on Onionplay