We Live In Time Review

There is something very heartwarming about a quintessentially British film that has at the forefront charming British actors, and We Live In Time truly defines this genre headed by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, who are individually electric on screen but come together to create undeniable chemistry. Ever since it was announced that these two would be playing a couple on-screen, it had fans buzzing about them two sharing scenes together. Then it was announced that John Crowley was directing who gave us the devastating love story 'Brooklyn', and we saw the first photos of Garfield and Pugh who looked like the quintessential romantic couple it just fuelled the excitement for this film even more. 

After now watching the film, I can firmly say that it is a truly lovely film that is headed by two actors who are at the top of their game in their generation. The story follows Almut, played by Florence Pugh, and Tobias, played by Andrew Garfield, who meet unconventionally at a hospital where Tobias is recovering from being hit by a car that Almut was driving. The film follows their love story in a non-linear format and allows the audience to be witness to the couple's most defining parts of their relationship, one being her cancer diagnosis, which they have been through before and will be a real test for the couple to see if they can get through this hardship again. 

The reason this film works is because of the title roles and both actors giving nuanced, complex and emotional performances to the screen, which are truly the best of their whole career. Pugh is just remarkable on screen like she always is, and even though her character is giving her a fair set of challenges, she infuses both humour and relatability into her scenes and makes you question how you would handle the situation. Also, you root for every decision she makes likeable or not as you can tell the pain she is in and that she wants to make every day count which is words we should all live by making her a deeply relatable and inspiring character. 

Garfield, as Tobias, is a perfect romantic character, and he infuses his own charm into his scenes, making him a very likeable person to champion, particularly in his most vulnerable scenes, which pack an emotional pull with Garfield talking very openly about his own grief with losing his mother. The scenes between the two of them feel very natural as if they have been in a relationship for years and no each other inside and out. The addition of their daughter just emphasises their chemistry and shows how natural they are as actors that they have created a little family which looks realistic and makes your heart warm to them on screen - something that packs an emotional punch later on in the story. 

This type of film has been done many a time before. However, this tale with John Crowley at the helm feels fresh on screen, and even though this genre can often feel overdone, the actors and the story make this film feel original and as if you are witnessing magic on screen.