Focusing on a brief window in a couple’s relationship, We Live In Time is a romantic drama that combines the expected elements of falling in love and building a life, with your person, with the messy and sometimes heartbreaking unfairness of having that journey cut short.
The couple in question for this movie are Tobias (Andrew Garfield) and Almut (Florence Pugh). One of the film’s strengths lies in its portrayal of a genuinely healthy and communicative partnership. It’s rare to see a romantic drama where the conflict isn’t rooted in petty misunderstandings or miscommunication. Watching the characters weigh life-altering decisions together added an authenticity to their bond that feels refreshing in a genre often overrun by melodrama.
When it comes to character, Almut deviated from the tired trope of women in the romance genre working in the journalistic or creative fields. The film gave her a career that added to her competitive nature and the high stakes trajectory of her life. Being a restaurant owner, award-winning chef and Olympic level figure skater might not be the most relatable careers, however it added another layer of believability to the character.
Here me out because I know London is London but, choosing to set the film in a lesser-seen, tucked-away corner of London (Herne Hill) — made for a more intimate, almost nostalgic atmosphere. It’s a world that feels lived-in yet fresh, a fitting stage for a tale of quiet love that can be universally appreciated.
Let the record state that Andrew Garfield is one of my favourite actors. When he cries, I cry. I did a deep dive into The Amazing Spider-Man and chastised audiences for letting him and the franchise down. Okay, now we understand each other, you’ll know it’s with a heavy heart that I say his performance in We Live in Time was severely underwhelming.
Sure, the actors share a chemistry onscreen, but neither pushes their performances beyond what we’ve already seen them capable of. Garfield’s signature emotional resonance is absent here; even his trademark doe eyed teary moments fail to land with their usual impact. I’m not a massive Pugh-head, but she is similarly fine. It’s something to note as these are two of the most talented actors of their generation. It’s hard to pinpoint where the problem lies. Possibly they relied on the topic alone to muster up a natural sympathy and emotional register. Alternatively, the material didn’t challenge them beyond their limits. Either way, I found their performances bordering on hollow.
We Live in Time is fine. It’s not terrible, but it’s far from extraordinary. For a film that aimed to tug at heartstrings, it left mine slack. Despite a refreshing take on relationship dynamics and a charming London setting, even with a non-linear narrative, the plot doesn’t offer up anything new to the difficult conversation of terminal illness.
While fans of Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield might find moments to appreciate, the film ultimately lands in the middle of the pack. It’s a movie that might have thrived in a different era, but in 2024, it struggles to find its place.
What did you think of We Live In Time?
Any thoughts on the film?