The Beauty and Simplicity of ‘We Live In Time’

In their first film together, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield bring on the waterworks with “We Live In Time.” 

Director John Crowley and writer Nick Paynes tell the anachronistic love story of Almut and Tobias, two young adults who live through their best and worst times together on the carousel of life. 

Jumping between three important times in their lives — when they first met, when they had their daughter and when their story ends — the film tells the love story out of order. The movie begins after they have their daughter, rewinds back to when they first met and fills in all the blanks between. 

Tobias and Almut meet unexpectedly when Almut hits Tobias with her car. Out of pity, Almut invites him to her Bavarian-fusion restaurant opening, and once she learns he’s single, the relationship moves quickly. As the film progresses, Almut struggles to juggle her competitive ambition with her love for Tobias. 

Almut’s internal conflict is compounded when she develops cancer twice. The first time, Almut chooses her love for Tobias by undergoing cancer treatment, hoping to live long enough to be a mother. When Almut relapses, she chooses her own ambition and competes in a cooking competition, pushing her treatment aside. 

Writer Nick Paynes reinvents classical storytelling for the modern viewer by structuring “We Live In Time” like a Greek epic. The film starts “in medias res,” meaning in the middle of things, and returns back to the beginning to give the audience context. 

The non-linear storytelling acts like a puzzle, with the audience piecing together the story as it plays out. While it’s confusing at first, the non-linear structure aids in the movie’s appeal. Audiences see the exact repercussions of a character’s actions as the movie seamlessly jumps to consequences in the future. 

Like other traditional romantic comedies, the couple meets, falls in love, faces a conflict and spends the rest of their lives together. What makes “We Live in Time” stand apart is its rejection of chronological order, resembling a collection of loose memories sewn together.

Though the film centers around the couple, Pugh’s (“Midsommar,” “Oppenheimer”) performance outshines her co-star. She presents the internal conflict of her character gracefully, allowing the audience to empathize with her story. Pugh’s acting feels honest and raw throughout the film. 

Garfield (“Tick Tick Boom,” “The Amazing Spider Man”) plays the supportive partner well. Almut’s life throws challenge after challenge at her, and Garfield’s character Tobias stands by her unconditionally. Though Garfield is a great actor, his character is static and fails to showcase his talent. 

The most notable feature in the movie is the natural chemistry between Pugh and Garfield. The two compliment each other like puzzle pieces, presenting a gentle, grounded romance with their acting. Their witty banter, domesticity and shared emotional support makes them come across as a realistic couple.

Between the realistic chemistry of the leads and the engaging non-linear storytelling, “We Live In Time” is a beautifully told romantic comedy. 

“We Live In Time” is in theaters now.