Title – We Live in Time (2024) 

Director – John Crowley (Brooklyn) 

Cast – Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, Lee Braithwaite

Plot – Taking place across the span of a decade, exploring the love and life of couple Almut (Pugh) and Tobias (Garfield) as they navigate a devastating diagnosis given to Almut.   

“I’m worried that’s there’s a very distinct and real possibility that I am about to fall in love with you”

Review by Eddie on 20/01/2025

One of the most glaring recent examples of two performers elevating rather generic and at times mid-tier at best material in something else, We Live in Time is a very watchable and even poignant examination of life and love in the face of adversity thanks almost entirely too the performances of its leads Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. 

Re-teaming with his 2007 film Boy A (a movie you should absolutely check out if you haven’t done so) director John Crowley, Garfield and current Hollywood “it girl” Florence Pugh work alongside each other in a magical way, to ensure that even when Time becomes a bit too much for its self and loses its sense of purpose in a sometimes cringe-worthy script and character movements, there’s reasons to stay engaged and even emotionally connect to this familiar feeling tale. 

Taking place in a nonchronological fashion that explores a decades worth off life events for Garfield’s softly spoken and supportive Tobias and Pugh’s more brash world conquering chef Almut as the two fall in love and face a plethora of overcoming’s, Time covers a lot of ground in its close to two hour offering and plays with many of the tropes associated with dramatic affairs diving into relationships being tested by serious illnesses but you often can forgive these nods to films and narratives gone by thanks to the vibrancy of Garfield and Pugh. 

A match made in movie chemistry heaven, Garfield and Pugh strike instant gold with each other from the moment they share the screen together and while sometimes throughout Crowley’s film it isn’t always entirely obvious where we are in their journey on in Almut’s case if we should feel sorry for some of her questionable behaviours and actions, the two star performers are never far away from inspiring the film for another burst, evidenced in a highlight of the film in what should surely be regarded as one of cinemas great birthing segments. 

There’s no doubt Garfield and Pugh have been better individually in the past but they’ve rarely found such great on screen matches for their unique sensibilities and powers, helping John Crowley through his missteps as a director that ensure Time isn’t quite up with his best works such as the engaging and delightful Brooklyn or the aforementioned Boy A. 

An unashamed weepy and one that lays its cards out on the table early on and does little to steer away from the goals its aiming for, there will be some that won’t be able to accept Time for what it is but others that fall under its spell in a big way, ensuring Crowley’s film is likely to continue to gain a solid following in the years to come. 

Final Say – 

Unquestionably elevated by its two charismatic and talented leads that ensure even when the film around them stumbles they keep on track, We Live in Time is far from perfect but its charms and poignancy are undeniable when they’re on full display. 

3 1/2 carousel rides out of 5