Review: ‘We Live in Time’: Dying from cancer, the charming and curated version
As a cinephile who’s seen more films than I care to count (and that’s saying something!), I must admit that “We Live in Time” left me with a peculiar sense of disorientation, much like when you wake up from a nap and can’t quite remember where you are.
As the highly anticipated film “We Live in Time” approaches its release, A24 shared a promotional image featuring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield on a carousel. The actors appear to be having fun, but their joy is tinged with unease due to a peculiar golden horse with bug-like eyes in the foreground of the picture, which seems to be possessed by some demonic force.
The image quickly turned into a meme, with people adding the stallion to scenes from “The Shining,” “Alien 3,” and other movies where the ominous horse fit perfectly. It’s like someone found an unused prop from “Hereditary” in the A24 storage shed and decided to include it in “We Live in Time” as a fun Easter egg to see if anyone would spot it. (In contrast, say, a romantic film where such a prop wouldn’t make sense.)
If they had, perhaps it would have led to the creation of an intriguing A24 horror movie featuring a cursed carousel. This chilling tale might serve as a symbolic representation of our lives, often spent moving in endless loops without purpose, until Death arrives mysteriously on a spooky horse to claim us.
A different film might be more engaging than “We Live in Time,” as it appears to be more like a well-organized Instagram feed rather than a traditional movie. In this movie, we see Almut Brühl, portrayed by Pugh, preparing a Douglas fir parfait, a questionable dish that showcases her bold ingenuity. Later, we find Almut, who is now pregnant, meticulously monitored by her supportive partner, Tobias (Garfield), as she sits on the toilet experiencing contractions. Subsequently, Almut is shown in the kitchen, bent over in pain (possibly after consuming the Douglas fir parfait).
Initially, Almut and Tobias find themselves in a doctor’s office, where they are informed that Almut’s ovarian cancer has come back. (You may be wondering, hasn’t she had cancer before?) Following this revelation, Almut contemplates whether she can endure another grueling treatment. Couldn’t it be more beneficial to spend six blissful months together as opposed to a year (if she’s fortunate) in hospital rooms? However, you won’t fully grasp their predicament until you see the couple’s charming countryside cottage. Only then will you truly understand their dilemma.
Yes, “We Live in Time” is a weepie, though it’s worth wondering if director John Crowley and screenwriter Nick Payne would embrace that label. The film’s hodgepodge structure, scenes assembled as if picked out of a hat, appears intended to disguise or, in a more generous reading, elevate its genre. Instead, it distances the audience from Almut and Tobias. They’re concepts, not characters. We barely know them, so it’s difficult to share their heartbreak. And what’s the point of a “Love Story” if it fails to pierce the heart?
But these darlings are beautiful. And they’re played by Pugh and Garfield, gifted actors capable of boosting even the silliest moments, such as when Tobias leaves his hotel room in his bathrobe, purposefully walking into the night to procure a pen to sign his divorce papers. (No, he’s not getting divorced from Almut. But given the way the movie flits around, I understand why you asked.) Returning from the convenience store, he stumbles into a busy roadway and is struck by a car, driven by Almut. Later, neck brace notwithstanding, he’s smitten.
In the first person, I must confess, this film “We Live in Time” has me captivated from the get-go! The charm and assurance radiating from its two lead actors are simply mesmerizing, making the initial hour feel like minutes. It’s a delightful blend of adorable meet-cutes, spirited disagreements, intense passion, melancholic moments, and an amusing scene involving chocolate-covered biscuits precariously placed on Alma’s pregnant belly in the bathtub, all under a sea of candles.
Of course, we know Almut will suffer through much deeper difficulties. The movie aims to go deeper with her plight, toying with the idea of Almut wondering what her legacy might be and worrying that her daughter (yes, a child is born, and you’ll never look at a gas station bathroom the same way again) will only remember her as someone who fought cancer. Almut cringes at the idea of being commemorated in such a one-note fashion. But the filmmakers only halfheartedly commit to exploring these emotions, reducing her feelings to a plot twist inserted to supply a bit of conflict.
Thanks to Pugh’s outstanding performance, there’s no question that Almut will be fondly remembered. The film “We Live in Time” offers countless beautiful shots of her and Garfield frolicking in English gardens and charming carnivals, which are destined to become the go-to memes from this movie. While it may not bring tears to your eyes, you might find yourself pondering where you can purchase Pugh’s stylish shearling jacket. If it suits your taste, why not indulge? After all, as the film teaches us, life is fleeting.
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2024-10-10 13:33