Rent We Live in Time (2024)

Romance With Two Great Performances - We Live in Time review by GI

The highlight of this romance film is the two endearing and intelligent central performances from Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield who have a magnetic screen chemistry and make the film very watchable. They play Almut and Tobias who meet in bizarre circumstances and soon fall in love despite one particular issue being between them. Tobias works for Weetabix in what is essentially a dull job whereas Almut is an award winning chef and restauranteur as well as having a very interesting past. Their lives together are shown in various snapshot episodes as the film flits between timelines that works well for the narrative giving the viewer an overarching sense of the relationships highs and lows. They have a child together although never marry and for the most part are very happy until a life changing event occurs. This is extremely watchable if a little contrived and there's a delightful, powerful and humorous birth scene that takes place in a Service Station toilet. It's witty and touching film with a bittersweet ending and Pugh especially gives a powerhouse performance that is a joy to behold, she is possibly one of our greatest modern day actors. Garfield's is a more gentle and perhaps nuanced one of a man who can't quite believe he can have the happiness that this relationship has brought him. The film is a delight and definitely worth your time.

Outstanding performances perfectly compliment a powerful story of courage & love - We Live in Time review by Timmy B

This film was such a pleasant surprise. When the romcom first became the behemoth it now is with films like Notting Hill, it was a fresh & vibrant take on the genre. But like so many things, when it became a ringing cash till, it then fell victim to Hollywood & the industrial machine which chucked out countless terrible duds, which whilst they sometimes made good money, were often total dreck. But there have always been some brilliant stories amongst the rubbish (Crazy, Stupid Love being one,) which made you remember exactly why this genre could be so good. And We Live In Time is another, taking a script which has in many ways standard ideas, but elevating it with brilliant direction & outstanding performances.

Told in a non-linear way, we look at various points in the lives of Tobias & Almut. He is a well-meaning, sensitive & emotionally scarred man who has just gone through a painful divorce; she a highly competitive & excellent chef who has put work above everything else until she accidentally runs him over in her car. They both have very different goals in life and ways that they view the world, but their love brings them together.

One of the best things about this film is how it is shot. John Crowley, who directed the magnificent Brooklyn, shoots in a soft colour palette which at all times feels natural without turning into the horrendous Hallmark-style productions which looks like they smeared the camera lens with treacle before filming. The scenes shot with candlelight in the farmhouse are a particular highlight. Alongside that, the production values are flawless, whether in the busy kitchen or the doctor's office, which is both scary & comforting.

Something else which predictably was picked up on by a few immature idiots in the media & amplified was the scenes of intimacy between Almut & Tobias, who are not cardboard-cut out characters, but made to feel like real people who love & have a sexual attraction to each other. Crowley himself has gone on record saying how important this element was to the story & I fully agree with him.

But where this film truly flies is the performances. Garfield & Pugh are both highly accomplished actors who have done powerful work alongside their comic-book/franchise commitments (Hacksaw Ridge & the Richard Eyre-directed King Lear are 2 notable highlights.) They have an excellent, easy chemistry as well as a trust which pays dividends on screen. Whilst Pugh got a larger share of the recognition, I personally felt that Garfield was the stronger of the 2, mainly because his role can be so difficult to get right without turning into a bawling, emotional wreck who drags the narrative down.

This is a deeply moving, carefully crafted and beautifully shot film, which takes on powerful & upsetting themes, starring 2 of the best actors working today. I really enjoyed it.