If you’ve been needing a good cry this fall, as I have, John Crowley’s “We Live in Time” captures every ounce of heartbreak to evoke a breakdown. This unconventional sob story captures the lives of Almut Brühl and Tobias Durand through the past, present, future and their journey of trying to make every second count. 

As seen in the trailer that was released in July, it was obvious that tears were sure to flood the carpets of theaters. I can confirm that they did. The last 40 minutes of the movie consisted of me sobbing into my sweatshirt. 

Taking from the raunch and chemistry of Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” and the pain-staking distress of Josh Boone’s “The Fault in Our Stars,” this romantic drama is the film to watch. 

The film stars Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, who first stole the stage by presenting Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2023 Oscars together. This interaction created bisexual panic for some viewers. Prior to “We Live in Time” being announced, the actors’ chemistry was undeniable, just by linking arms and presenting an award. 

In addition, the two have both been known for their stand-out roles in Marvel: Pugh as Yelena Belova in “Black Widow,” and Garfield as Peter Parker in “The Amazing Spider-Man.”

Pugh in particular was noted by Crowley as having far more commitment to the film than he anticipated. At certain times in the movie, Pugh’s character needed to be bald.

“She didn’t tell anyone [that she was shaving her head]. It was sort of terrifying to me. I was like, ‘Wow, that’s really ballsy,’” Crowley said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. 

Pugh clearly took the role of Almut seriously, even prioritizing it over her role in Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts.”

Garfield and Pugh both expressed their love and gratitude for the film in an Instagram reel. “We’ve created an entire life through these lovers,” Pugh said in the post.  “Their love together feels pure and real and right. We’re all here for any amount of time. We all want to make sure that it’s worth it.”

“We Live in Time” is one of those films that makes you think  about how limited our time on Earth is, as well as the importance of timing. 

“This film speaks to the magic of love and loss in this life,” Garfield said in the post. “It starts pummeling our hearts to crack them open. It’s not only a modern romantic love story between a man and a woman, it’s a love story between parents and their daughter. There’s this recognition with the shortness of life.” 

As Garfield mentioned, it’s somewhat of a modern love story, but it’s certainly unconventional compared to any classic rom-com from the early 2000s. The film grapples difficulties with pregnancy, differences in beliefs and even sexuality inside a relationship. It’s by no means an ideal love story, but it’s beautiful in the sense that it’s capturing something real and special. 

While “We Live in Time” is heavy in every sense of the word, it’s also chaotically funny. Despite the movie’s hectic time jumps, Brühl and Durand’s sense of humor gives the film a positive lift when needed. Without the comedy sprinkled throughout the movie, I may not have made it out of the theater. 
Overall, I don’t think the 78% on Rotten Tomatoes does this romantic dramedy the justice it deserves. Pugh and Garfield deliver a beautifully executed performance of love in an unconventional sense. Whether platonic or otherwise, tell your people you care about them. Every second counts.

Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.com 

Edited by Maggie Atkinson | msarwr@umsystem.edu 

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com 

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com