In John Crowley’s We Live In Time, the director takes us on an emotional rollercoaster that stretches across the years, exploring love and loss through the lens of time. Known for his work in The Goldfinch, Crowley brings a similar depth and sensitivity to this new venture. The film tells the story of a couple, Almut and Tobias, whose serendipitous meeting sparks a decade-spanning romance filled with both joy and heartache. This tale of love and the inevitable passage of time is tenderly brought to life through the chemistry between the two lead actors, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, whose performances are the beating heart of the film.
The film opens with a simple encounter—a moment in time that sparks something much greater. As Almut and Tobias’ connection develops, we see glimpses of their lives that are not told in a linear fashion. Crowley uses a non-linear narrative to depict the various moments of their relationship, blending past, present, and future into a mesmerizing collage of experiences. The film’s fragmented approach could have felt disjointed, but instead, it becomes a narrative device that mirrors the fluidity of time itself. These scattered memories help immerse the audience in the emotional currents of the characters’ lives, with joy and sorrow often intertwining in unexpected ways.
Time is both a friend and a foe in We Live In Time. It creates and destroys, shaping the characters’ experiences in ways they cannot control. The film’s non-linear structure embodies this paradox, inviting the audience to feel the passage of time alongside the characters. Each moment in their relationship is a fleeting glimpse into the greater story of their lives, full of possibility and inevitability. By revealing key moments in their journey out of order, Crowley challenges the audience to piece together the puzzle of Almut and Tobias’ love story. The result is a cinematic experience that is as emotionally impactful as it is thought-provoking.
At the core of this film are the stunning performances by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. Both actors effortlessly embody their characters, offering deeply humane portrayals of people navigating the complexities of love and time. Pugh’s portrayal of Almut is nuanced and tender, capturing the vulnerability of a woman who is both searching for meaning and grappling with the fragility of time. Garfield’s Tobias is equally compelling, imbuing his character with a quiet intensity that speaks volumes without needing to say much. Together, they create a dynamic chemistry that is palpable on screen, their connection allowing the audience to feel every moment of joy, grief, and longing that the film presents.
Their relationship is a beautiful contrast of emotional highs and devastating lows, and their performances bring out the full range of these experiences. The chemistry between Pugh and Garfield is electric, and it is their bond that keeps the audience invested in their journey. Their love story is one that feels universal yet deeply personal, an exploration of how two individuals can shape each other’s lives over the course of years.
While the film’s fragmented storytelling may initially feel disorienting, it soon becomes clear that this structure is key to capturing the essence of time. The way We Live In Time moves through its various moments is a reflection of how we experience life: everything feels connected, yet always in flux. The film’s pacing, paired with its emotional depth, creates a lingering feeling that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Ultimately, We Live In Time is an exploration of how love and loss shape us, how we live within the paradox of time. It speaks to the fleeting nature of life and the importance of embracing every moment, even as those moments slip away. The emotional weight of the film rests heavily on the shoulders of its two lead actors, and Pugh and Garfield’s chemistry is a testament to the film’s success in telling a deeply moving story about time, love, and the human experience.
As We Live In Time unfolds, the film deepens its exploration of not just love, but the inevitable passage of life itself. The film doesn’t simply capture the relationship between Almut and Tobias; it delves into the way that time affects all relationships, be it familial, platonic, or romantic. The fragmented narrative allows the audience to experience the characters’ emotional growth alongside them. As we witness these fleeting moments, we are reminded of how time can simultaneously bring people closer while also pulling them apart. This delicate balance is a driving force throughout the film, making each interaction, each fleeting moment, feel more profound.
Crowley’s direction stands out for its ability to blend the quiet and the grand, making even the smallest interactions feel significant. While the film is filled with sweeping emotional beats, it also thrives in the stillness, in those moments of contemplation and reflection. The pacing moves slowly, allowing the characters to breathe and giving the audience space to digest the depth of their emotions. This creates a powerful contrast to the ever-present ticking of time, allowing for moments of clarity in the midst of emotional chaos.
The cinematography further enhances the film’s thematic exploration of time. The visuals are soft yet striking, often using lighting and framing to highlight the passage of time, whether through changing seasons or the physical aging of the characters. There is a subtle beauty in the way the camera lingers on the characters, allowing us to see their gradual changes, not just in appearance but in their emotional states as well. These moments, much like the non-linear structure of the narrative, help to reinforce the idea that time is not something we can control, but something we must learn to navigate and accept.
The film also touches on the universal theme of the search for meaning in life. Almut and Tobias’ journey is not just one of love, but also of self-discovery. Their relationship challenges them to confront their fears, desires, and regrets, ultimately forcing them to grapple with the question of what it means to live a meaningful life. This quest for meaning is something we all experience in different ways, and We Live In Time taps into that universal yearning, making it relatable to anyone who has ever questioned the choices they’ve made or wondered about the paths not taken.
While the film’s central focus is on Almut and Tobias, it also briefly explores the lives of those around them, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of all human experiences. The supporting characters, though not as deeply explored as the leads, still play a vital role in reflecting the different ways people approach love and time. Through these secondary relationships, Crowley enhances the emotional complexity of the story, showing that no one’s life exists in isolation. We are all shaped by the people around us, and We Live In Time beautifully encapsulates that idea through its broad, yet intimate, lens.
In its closing moments, the film leaves the audience with a profound sense of both closure and longing. It reminds us that time, no matter how it unfolds, is something we can never fully grasp, yet it shapes who we are and what we leave behind. Through the emotional performances of Pugh and Garfield, We Live In Time transcends its basic premise, becoming a poignant meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the deep emotional connections that define us. The film is a reminder that even in the face of loss, the moments we share with others are what truly matter, and they remain with us, carried through time.