We live in time. It passes every hour, minute or second, whether we like it or not. The time we are given on this earth is precious and there are so many ways to live it. You don’t have to choose between loved ones or your passion, in sickness and in health we can cry, laugh and suffer in the carousel of life. It is something universal that we all have to go through – we meet people, fall in love, start families or choose not tomorrow and that is something that no one can take away from us. The memories together hold us together even when the time has come to say goodbye.
This film is a beautiful tribute to humanity and what it means to be alive. It’s not perfect by any means, as the idea of jumping back and forth between time periods doesn’t always work and it would have been better and more powerful to follow the two main characters linearly through their shared history. But it’s worth persevering: “We Live in Time” seems a little too contrived, too perfect and too corny at first (“Brooklyn” by John Crowley had a way of building up the romance more naturally and believable), but in the second half the film can really shine as brightly as its two main characters and in the end it all comes together melancholically, tragically and above all wonderful. Especially the birth scene of Almut’s and Tobias’ child is not only hilarious but also humane and shows what wonders we can do as human beings and creating a new life is the most magical things there is. (Also Almut’s medical history hit close to home as I’ve gotten quite a similar diagnosis and so the entire wanting or not wanting children topic is very raw and vulnerable to me, as well as having lost a family member to the same kind of cancer and that made me see behind the flaws the story has)
Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield deliver nuanced and emotional performances, showcasing their remarkable chemistry together and elevating the material with subtle yet powerful depth. Their command of the screen is effortless, drawing viewers in and creating an emotional resonance that transcends the film’s narrative. Together, they set a high standard for on-screen partnerships, captivating audiences with a dynamic that feels both natural and compelling. I already know this will be one of the kind I will come to quite often and revisit every time when I truly wanna FEEL something.
