We Live In Time: Movie Review

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh
Director: John Crowley

With a non-linear narrative and a grounded approach and almost naturalistic feel to what is a fairly generic story of a relationship and cancer, We Live In Time's ability to be both moving and compelling is a testament to its leads.

A fiery Pugh is Almut, a chef who literally runs into Garfield's Tobias, who's on the cusp of a divorce. The pair begin a passionate relationship after sharing a connection - but life has other plans...

It's a simple enough concept and one which has repeatedly been made into books, films and TV series. And while the focus here is solely on Almut and Tobias, the amount of time spent with them in back and forth sequences that seem jumbled is to the film's benefit.

At its heart, We Live In Time is a traditional weepie and isn't at all ashamed of its premise. But what lifts it from the predictable mire of impending sentiment and obvious ending isn't its mixed narrative journey but Pugh and Garfield's performances.

As Almut, Pugh is all strength and fire, courage in the face of a storm. Yet, much like Garfield, there's an aching vulnerability to her that inveigles its way under your skin as the film progresses. She manages to easily transcend the tropes and cliches and provide something that's as moving as it is familiar.

Garfield's her equal - an understated turn that sees him dial up the charisma and play down the showiness of a role. With sensitivity throughout, Garfield shows off a warmth to his Tobias that makes his connection to Almut easy to believe.

While the initial out-of-order timeline seems to be put there to pull the rug from under viewers, it actually plays out the story in a conventional manner, with the intersecting timelines essentially telling a story of what happens when life gets in the way, and how people cope and adapt.

It's a little shallow in parts, thanks to some very broadstroke character work and writing, but with deft demonstrations of humour and moments that ring universally true, We Live In Time elevates its cliches and weepy romantic love story genre tropes to something a little more sophisticated, a touch more moving and a surprisingly emotive experience.