“Review of ‘We Live in Time’: Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield star in the year’s most disappointing cinema experience”

Analysis of “We Live in Time”

On paper, We Live in Time seems thoughtfully formulated to be the perfect tearjerker for today. John Crowley, the celebrated director of the acclaimed film Brooklyn, teams up with popular actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in a romance filled with tragedy and loss. Despite the star power, the film falls short of expectations, delivering a lukewarm experience rather than a passionate embrace of love and desire.

The Plotting Gimmick

We Live in Time begins with a couple already established in their routine, only to jump back to before they met. Their love story unfolds amidst personal challenges, including a battle with cancer. However, the film’s pacing and thematic coherence suffer due to abrupt transitions and lack of depth in character development. The disjointed narrative hinders emotional engagement with the characters, despite the actors’ performances.

Performance and Structure

Florence Pugh shines in her role, portraying a character torn between familial responsibilities and personal aspirations. On the other hand, Andrew Garfield’s character feels underdeveloped, serving as a passive counterpart to Pugh’s vibrant portrayal. The film fails to fully explore the dynamics between the characters, leaving the audience wanting more depth and coherence in the storytelling.

Analysis of “We Live in Time”

The cancer story alone could have been enough to sustain the film, with flashbacks enhancing our understanding of the couple’s love and past hardships. However, director Crowley’s execution of Nick Payne’s screenplay falls short. The time jumps feel like a distraction from the thin plot, especially regarding Almut’s first battle with cancer, which is reduced to only three brief scenes.

Performance and Emotional Impact

Despite strong performances from Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, the disjointed scenes fail to build emotional tension. The sudden shifts from the couple already together to not having met undermine moments of flirtation, leaving the audience disconnected. While certain scenes show promise, the overall result is a mediocre film lacking the expected depth and emotion from the lead actors.

We Live in Time is now available for streaming on Max.

UPDATE: Feb. 6, 2025, 2:41 p.m. EST “We Live in Time” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. This article, originally published on Sept. 16, has been updated to include viewing options.

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