Released: 1st January 2025 (UK)
Length: 108 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Director: John Crowley
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Grace Delaney and Lee Braithwaite
The romance genre often goes in two directions, leaning more into comedy or drama. With so many popular films released through the years, it falls to the lead performers to make it work. John Crowley’s We Live In Time falls into the latter camp and succeeds at getting you invested.
Taking place in modern England, Almut Brühl (Florence Pugh) is a talented chef and restaurant owner and Tobias Durand is a represented at Weetabix. The two meet in a hospital after an accident and form a close bond with each other. As the title implies, the next ten years bring great happiness and difficulty with the film swapping back and forth between the two organically. I was reminded of Normal People when watching We Live In Time; it’s a production that strips out all superficial elements and focuses purely on the human connection. Telling the story out of order is an interesting choice; one moment we see Tobias going through a divorce and next we see him and Alma sharing a home together. it does add more weight to the biggest events in the couple’s relationship. In turn the dramatic tension is emphasised in the moment, rather than waiting to see if Almut and Tobias will last as a couple. Almut giving birth in a non-ideal location is the biggest example; thanks to close camera angles and added reactions from side characters, you really feel the urgency. With that said, We Live In Time doesn’t do too much that you haven’t seen in other films. Wholesome chats with friends and family, scenes of intimacy between the two main characters and other points that really pull on the heartstrings. It’s all very common for the genre.
Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh are both great in the lead roles; they match the changing tone with many varied emotions. You believe in their chemistry right from the get-go and the tests the couple go through also feel very natural. Much of the comedy comes from simple pleasures; a giant tower of Jaffa Cakes, asking about free cereal and trying to inch out of a parking spot. It’s quite understated and never becomes overbearing. This contrasts with more heated arguments and poignant moments. Both are sold incredibly well by the actors, especially when you reach the third act. Almut and Tobias work to navigate their differences and eventually try to plot the best route forward for their daughter. Without spoiling things, there are several difficult choices to make as the plot goes on. There’s a great build-up to Almut’s later achievements and the time the family spends together. This is backed up by a delicate soundtrack that left several audience members in tears. Most of the side performances are kept brief, falling into a sense of everyday life. There’s an older waitress reading off a restaurant script and two petrol station attendants with an unexpected task. Like most efforts in the genre, the focus is kept squarely on the main actors.
We Live In Time will thoroughly satisfy anyone pining for romantic drama. It’s simple, but incredibly effective. Garfield and Pugh’s performances shine through and the emotional moments really pull on the heartstrings in the final act. The non-linear narrative isn’t quite enough to set it apart from similar titles but what’s here is beautifully produced.
Rating: 4/5 Stars (Great)
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