A movie like We Live in Time really shouldn’t work. The overly sentimental cancer drama is a well-trodden path, with its fair share of genuinely touching entries but even more bogged down by predictability and melodrama. We Live in Time doesn’t completely avoid these familiar pitfalls, as it leans into some of the same cheesy tropes that often plague this subgenre.
What sets it apart, however, is the deeply committed direction from John Crowley and a set of performances that elevate the material. The film’s earnestness shines through, as Crowley skillfully crafts a tone that feels genuinely invested in its characters’ journeys.
We Live in Time stars Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in an unconventional love story that unfolds in an equally unconventional narrative structure. The film masterfully weaves between flashbacks and present-day scenes, chronicling the journey of Almut (Pugh) and Tobias (Garfield) as they navigate their relationship and grapple with life-altering challenges. The story juxtaposes their early days of meeting and navigating personal struggles with the weight of their present reality: Almut’s devastating cancer diagnosis, which gives her less than a year to live.
The film’s structure shines in how it uses these timelines to deepen the emotional resonance of their love story. The present informs the past, and vice versa, creating a layered exploration of how love evolves in the face of hardship. This interplay transforms moments of conflict—like Almut and Tobias arguing about the enormity of her diagnosis—into even more poignant reflections of the depth and complexity of their bond when paired with flashbacks of their joyous and tumultuous beginnings.
Moments like the couple’s unexpected meeting, their journey through personal differences, and the singularly touching, unconventional way Almut gives birth to their only child all feel profoundly human. The film doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life, instead leaning into it to paint a portrait of love that feels genuine and earned.
We Live in Time leans into every emotional trope of its genre, but its non-linear structure makes those tropes feel fresh and purposeful. A straightforward, linear approach might have dulled the impact, but the way the film oscillates between timelines—showing Almut and Tobias arguing, flirting, comforting one another, and piecing their lives back together after each setback—creates a narrative that feels simultaneously inspiring and devastating. Even for those who might not typically lean toward sentimentality, the film’s idiosyncratic approach, coupled with extraordinary performances, makes it nearly impossible not to feel something.
Andrew Garfield delivers a beautifully nuanced performance as Tobias, embodying a mix of awkward vulnerability and quiet resilience. He feels like a man who’s perpetually slightly out of sync with the world, navigating life with a blend of uncertainty and determination. Garfield has played this kind of role before, but this time it feels more deeply connected to the material. His work in tick, tick… BOOM! may come to mind, but We Live in Time feels like a better match for his talents, allowing him to explore emotional depths in a more grounded and textured way.
And then there’s Florence Pugh, whose portrayal of Almut might be the standout female lead performance of 2024. Pugh is astonishing in her ability to channel raw vulnerability and resilience, whether she’s enduring grueling chemotherapy treatments or portraying one of the most visceral, authentic childbirth scenes ever captured on film. Her physicality and emotional openness make Almut feel profoundly real, anchoring the film with a performance that’s both heartbreakingly intimate and fiercely powerful. While Garfield provides an excellent counterpart, Pugh absolutely owns every frame she’s in, cementing her status as one of the finest actors of her generation.
Together, their chemistry elevates the film beyond its narrative imperfections, making any minor flaws feel irrelevant in the face of such captivating, emotionally charged storytelling.
Sometimes, Oscar bait earns its place, and We Live in Time is a prime example. It embraces its sentimental premise wholeheartedly while finding just enough nuance and subtle detail to elevate itself above the typical cancer romance drama. This is no run-of-the-mill tearjerker; it’s a deeply felt, emotionally intricate story that lingers long after the credits roll.
Director John Crowley (Brooklyn) masterfully balances the film’s many moving parts. The non-linear narrative spins numerous plates—navigating love, grief, parenting, and illness—without ever feeling overstuffed or losing its emotional throughline. The result is a beautifully crafted story that delivers profound melancholy and joy in equal measure. Crowley’s direction feels effortless, as though every moment unfolds with natural precision, layering in small, resonant details that give the film its unique flavor.
We Live in Time shouldn’t work, not with its deeply familiar premise, but it does—remarkably so. It’s a singular, divine romance that surprises with how much it captures the authenticity of love and loss, defying expectations at every turn. A true British weeper that’s unapologetically wholesome, heartbreakingly tender, and undeniably effective.
Score: 7/10
- Cast: Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh
- Director: John Crowley
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 108 minutes
- Rated: R
- Release Date: October 18, 2024
Related Movies Starring Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh has starred in movies like:
- Midsommar (2019)
- Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
- The Boy and the Heron (2023)
- Oppenheimer (2023)
- Dune: Part Two (2024)
- We Live in Time (2024)
Related Movies Starring Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield has starred in movies like:
- The Social Network (2010)
- Silence (2016)
- Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
- Under the Silver Lake (2018)
- tick, tick… BOOM! (2021)
- We Live in Time (2024)
Related Movies Directed by John Crowley
John Crowley has directed movies like:
- Brooklyn (2015)
- We Live in Time (2024)
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