We Live in Time is the highly anticipated film from John Crowley. The film stars Andrew Garfield and Florence as a couple, Tobias & Almut, over the course of a decade. That’s the basic synopsis of the film, but I am going to keep it brief to avoid spoilers. Unfortunately, there were aspects of the film that were spoiled to me that I think would serve better if you go in knowing nothing other than the cast, which is the biggest selling point.

I remember a few years ago or so when Garfield & Pugh both presented at an Oscars ceremony. Immediately afterwards, everyone wanted them in a movie together. Both actors have an incredibly likable presence and seeing them together felt like a winning formula for a film. As it turns out, they are what makes this film work. There’s a lot more to the plot that keeps the film engaging. Without Garfield and/or Pugh, this movie probably wouldn’t have worked as well as it did.

Director John Crowley last made 2019’s The Goldfinch – a movie I really liked that no one else did. I even got the book and loved that. Even the author of that book hated the novel adaptation. I never understood the hate, but I knew I still wanted to see what Crowley did next. His work on Brooklyn also showed how much of a great director he is to tell these expansive stories that involve the way we look at life.

The film was written by Nick Payne, but it feels like it’s easy to mention how well Crowley delivers this script for the big screen. He has a clear understand of knowing how to make it work, especially since the film is told in a nonlinear structure – a choice that I think may turn some people off; however, it serves an important purpose to the story and it’s something that’s actually pulled off really well. I never once felt confused and I believe this structure helped set the genre apart from other films.

The work Garfield & Pugh put into their characters is authentic. Through the chaos of how they meet, they still want to meet each other. It makes it easy to root for them when you know their flaws become good things for each other. I don’t know if I would put either or in my top 10 performances of the year, because they both equally work and it comes off so naturally. It’s like they really fell in love on screen.

I was amazed to see how calm & collected Garfield was with everything being thrown at him. He does the best that he can, but his emotions are only human. Pugh, however, has more of the story as the story centers a lot around what happens to her more than Garfield. In a way, it makes me wish Pugh got top billing over Garfield.

Her story really comes into play in the third act. The film takes an unusual turn that feels original, even if I wanted more from it. It involves Pugh’s character having to prove to her daughter that she is worth something. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite get the impression that their daughter learned anything as the daughter tends to be an afterthought after she is born. I also think the third act’s tone is out of place with the rest of the film. While the third act could have benefitted from more closure, I did like nuance in its meaning. It’s very different once you get past the climax.

I would give credit to A24 as they seem to always deliver on the musical score; however, this film is distributed by other companies, so I won’t exactly put it as though A24 delivers on that front. It’s through the direction, writing, and performances that makes the musical script feel like its transcending time. Composer Bryce Dessner brings together one of the best scores of the year with music that fits perfectly with the emotional punch of the film. I know it certainly got my misty eyed at times.

Overall, We Live in Time accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do by delivering amazing chemistry through Garfield & Pugh. John Crawley easily bounces back in his career with a film that shows that he is willing to always do something different. The structure may not be for everyone, yet it is easy to follow and helps deliver a meaningful arc. This is easily one of the best romantic dramas of the year.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)