Tower Theatres screened We Live In Time in the Village Commons.
Photo by MHN staff
By Sophie Glasco ’26 & Aspen Pearson ’28
Staff Writers
Content Warning: This article discusses cancer.
“We Live in Time” poses an unusual meet-cute: accidentally hitting your future soulmate with your car as he drops his chocolate while crossing a busy highway. This new romance film, starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh and directed by John Crowley, interweaves humor and tear-jerking moments, ultimately emphasizing a reminder that our time together is finite.
Pugh plays Almut, a passionate chef battling ovarian cancer who is complex and flawed, yet captivating. Pugh’s chemistry with co-star Garfield’s Tobias, a cereal brand representative, is the film’s heart, with electric physical intimacy. Their charm bounces off each other in comedic scenes, yet they build dramatic emotion in the misty-eyed moments. Both Pugh and Garfield tell the love story beautifully through longing glances and awkward but endearing line delivery.
Pugh’s performance as Almut was the standout of the film. Even when faced with ovarian cancer, she refuses to give in to pain. She is a mother, a chef and much more than a cancer patient. Through mistakes, victories and intimacy, Pugh builds up a character that is lively, complex and, most of all, capable.
Garfield gives a charming and sweet performance as Tobias. He provides much of the emotion in the film, and helps Pugh’s performance shine. The actual character himself lacks background and context, but Garfield’s acting helped make Tobias feel more grounded in reality while setting the emotional tone of almost every scene. While it’s hard to understand who Tobias is outside of Almut, his emotions were the ones most felt by the audience.
This film is presented in a non-linear narrative. The visual clue to distinguish the past and present timelines is Almut’s hairstyle, as she sports a short fringe in the past. This broken timeline can be confusing, especially at the start of the film. In addition, the film’s other weakness lies in Almut’s and Tobias’ lack of identity outside of their relationship and careers. We learn a little about Almut’s background as a professional ice skater, but are left curious for more, particularly about Tobias.
Through flashes of memories, as well as present action, viewers watch Almut’s and Tobias’ love story blossom, then beautifully conclude. The plot dances between its two timelines well, keeping the audience eager for more in each. The film’s ending was particularly impactful, bringing tears to our eyes.
“We Live in Time” was shown at Tower Theaters, located in The Village Commons. Tower Theaters is a locally owned and operated theater, which offers discounted student tickets for $9.75. While this particular love story will no longer be screening at time of publication, you can still support a local business by checking out this week’s screenings of “Heretic” and “Venom: The Last Dance.” “We Live in Time” will likely be available on streaming by the end of this year. Just don’t forget your tissues!
Madeleine Diesl ’28 contributed fact-checking.