Editor’s note: This is a reoccurring column by Madison Sharrock, Managing Editor/Content, a film and production minor who reviews and critiques films.
A24 had a near-perfect track record in my book, until I watched “We Live in Time.” I was expecting too much from the experience, and I was just left with a tase of Hallmark in my mouth.
“We Live in Time” was highly anticipated to see Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield costar in a romance film. The film tells the story of Almut and Tobias by jumping from timeline to timeline, from the beginning to the end of their relationship.
However, it didn’t live up to the expectations I had for it, so naturally I went to Letterboxd for validation. I was surprised to see its 3.7 star standing on the app, but glad that I wasn’t the only one left bored and disappointed.
I wasn’t a fan of the choppy editing and found myself confused most of the time. I understand what Director John Crowley was trying to accomplish, especially through the use of props, hair and makeup to define each era of their relationship with context clues.
The main message of the film is a lifelong lesson which I believe most people want to learn their own way rather than through a jumbled two-hour long drama. Therefore, the film ends up delivering a surface-level message.
I expected to sob by the time the credits rolled but had no urge to shed a tear. I was expecting a story of a messy pair that ends with a wrenching breakup– I was so misguided.
It was hard to connect with the characters; which may be a result of the way it was edited. The back-and-forth nature of the movie took away the characters’ ability to show any type of development.
Garfield’s character, Tobias, was written a little too well, to the point it became completely unrealistic. We’re talking about a man who falls in love with the woman who hit him with her car; A man who then delivers their child in a gas station bathroom. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you one thing about his career nor personality other than the fact he cries a lot on camera.
Although it felt unrealistic at times, I enjoyed the couple’s relationship dynamic– playful, caring and relatable. The film attempted to relate to average people but Almut’s career as a chef and past as a figure skater were peculiar plot lines. I couldn’t connect with Pugh’s character, though at least she was memorable.
Despite all of that, the movie felt moving and made me realize how often I skip over the present. One particular quote that stuck with me was when Tobias apologizes to Almut for discussing the idea of having children, and he said, “I was guilty of focusing on the wrong thing, aspect; looking ahead instead of right in front of me at you.”
Pugh and Garfield delivered stellar performances, as usual. If the costars were to be anyone else, I don’t think the film’s ratings would sit where they currently are. They were the main reason I chose to watch the movie in the first place.
I appreciated the nod toward ovarian cancer awareness; I can’t remember any movie I’ve seen that starred a character dealing particularly with ovarian cancer.
I thought the cinematography was spectacular up until we lost Almut to cancer. The scene romanticized grief in a way by choosing to show her ice skating away, waving. It felt superficial to me.
The ending was disappointing for such a packed story, which again, may be due to the editing choices. One Letterboxd review viewed the editing metaphorically as a timer, whether it be a stopwatch counting contractions, an iPhone timer or the cooking competition countdown– I’ll admit it made me appreciate it more.
I wouldn’t watch “We Live in Time” again, but I’m glad I did once. If I want to see Pugh in a love interest role, I’d much rather stick with “Don’t Worry Darling” or the ending of “Little Women.”
Let me clarify the fact I liked the film. I’m a strong believer that you can also enjoy a movie without thinking it’s the best; take any 2000’s Nickelodeon or Disney Channel movie as an example. I digress– I’m getting tired of seeing Pugh casted as a cooking housewife or a mother.
