‘We Live in Time’ stars Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield as they navigate illness, love and the uncertainty of the future
By AALIYAH ESPAÑOL-RIVAS — arts@theaggie.org
With only six months to live, the film “We Live in Time” follows Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) as they navigate the last months of Almut’s life. With a mix of jump cuts from past to present, the film alternates from showing a tumultuous but loving relationship between the two while cutting to scenes of their present life as Almut tries to achieve her dreams in a short period of time.
The film opens with a flashback sequence where Almut stops to smell the flowers on a run before picking some to use in a recipe. The quaint and dimly lit sequence is almost immediately interrupted, as if Tobias had woken up from a dream, to Almut pregnant and in pain. The audience is then taken through a jump in time again to the present day as Almut begins to have unexplainable pain during her work as a chef.
Subsequently, the film cuts to Almut’s diagnosis. Up until that point, this film — that seemed like any other romance film — takes a heavy turn as it is revealed that Almut’s stage three ovarian cancer has returned. Following the diagnosis, Almut and Tobias share an intimate scene as they discuss the future ahead.
Lighting, a major storyteller in the film, plays a role in almost every intimate scene. Particularly in the scene where they discuss Almut’s life plan following her diagnosis, the outside lighting dims and only a parking structure light illuminates the scene. Almut expresses her desire to live life to the fullest in six months as opposed to going through chemotherapy again with the possibility of it not working.
Following the conversation, the film flashes back to tell the story of how Almut and Tobias met. While in the middle of a divorce, Tobias gets hit by a car on the way back to his hotel by Almut. Waking up in the hospital, they soon have a blossoming relationship as they go back and forth from different views on children, marriage and goals — but ultimately they always find their way back to their love. With dimly lit intimate scenes, brightly colored moments abundantly filled with love and dark scenes of defeat, the film jumps from major life events as it brings viewers to the present day.
In the final act of the film, the film stays in the present as Almut grapples with the uncertainty of her life as she chooses to compete in the cooking competition against Tobias’ wishes to leave a legacy for herself. But after finishing the competition, Almut walks out with Tobias and their child as they embark on the unclear road ahead. Instead of giving up on her dreams, Almut took charge and achieved what she wanted to. And with nothing left but time to spend with her loved ones, the three enjoy ice skating, which was a previous passion of Almut’s.
The film encapsulates how quickly life can pass you by. Though Almut’s and Tobias’ relationship has its ups and downs, there is no denying the love they have for each other. While their chemistry is understated amongst other romance films, the focus of the film isn’t their romance but rather the respect and unselfish love the two have for each other. And while the film jumps from scene to scene, it is not quick or displaced; it’s little moments of life that are cherished between the two. Hold your loved ones close, and grab tissues if you decide to watch “We Live in Time” in a theater near you.
Written by Aaliyah Español-Rivas —-arts@theaggie.org
