We Live in Time – Movie Reviews by Ry!

We Live in Time – From Me to You: A Journey of Love

Film is a medium of many things.  From a hitman seeking revenge to the adventures of a wizard and his dwarves, the tales become a manner of escape and joy.  For some, this medium provides a place to tell stories that appeal to the heartiness of life.  Within thoughts of hope and tragedy, these tales can grip the audience, leading down a path of unforgettable moments.  In this review, I look at the latest film about the endearing path of life.  Built upon a simple thread, We Live in Time is a wonderful tale about love, loss and hope.

In a story of chance encounters, two individuals will come to learn what it truly means to love in time.  At the heart of a tale are its characters, especially if it revolves around romance.  This point becomes ever so prudent, because to feel the path of escape, the audience must find a relatable grip towards those main characters.  With this film, not only do the filmmakers find a way to build a raw connection (with its characters), but they do it in a non-sequence method.  In the beginning, we come into raw complexion of our two individuals, Tobias (Andrew Garfield) and Almut (Florence Pugh).  From the opening scene, it sets the stage for an up-and-down affair of their relationship through different moments in time.  Through this non-sequence, we follow our characters as they maneuver through life and circumstance, vying for certainty within the fragile aspects of life.  The particulars of plot elements are non-existent, as the filmmakers go against the grain and focus on personal mantra.  Each scene plays to a visualization of their relationship, showcasing bits from before and after, layering meaning through organic interactions and raw conversations.  There are positive moments and harden circumstances, but it is the emotional fervor of individuals that plays to the heart of the moment.  Each scene provides a slow unfolding of truths, a subtlety that provides a gradual display of human worth.  With Tobias, you have a man wanting to find purpose within another, while Almut is a strong individual who slowly opens to the idea of love and family.  The characterization provides an unorthodox story that is built through a genuine tale of living for something.

At the heart of this journey is its characters.  For all the avenues that could have led into melodrama, the amazing acting from Garfield and Pugh pulls out individualistic mantras, providing distinct personalities that’s riveting and complimentary.  The conversations feel real, a detail that levels against any subplots that are there for convenience.   As the directive slowly fills in their journey (through time), hard truths of life bring them to an unfathomed crossroads.  When the unexpected comes, we head down a path of obvious detail (in the third act).  Even as things become predictable, we still end up into a relevant like climax and a heavy-hearted epilogue.  We Live in Time is a romantic journey that becomes more than the clichés of the genre.  If you are a fan of character films, non-sequence storytelling or like simple tales of life, this is one for you.  For anyone thinking of seeing this film, I believe it is worth the full price of admission.  

Full Score – 4 out of 5 (Full Price)