Almut: What’s the rush to fall in love with you?
Synopsis
An aspiring chef and a recent divorcee find their lives forever changed when a chance encounter brings them together in a deeply moving romance that spans a decade; the premiere due to other filming commitments, Andrew Garfield brought a life-size cutout of her to fill in for his absence. During the living room scene of Candlelight and Fire, Almut closes Tobias’s notebook, but in the next shot it is open. Cited in Cinephiliando-Filmmaking: The Time We Have (We Live) in Time (2024). Is It a Sin, written by Al Hazan, performed by Allie Hazan. Nonlinear Structure: A Double-Edged Sword We Live in Time makes a bold narrative choice by using a nonlinear structure.
Almut’s Career: A Missed Opportunity
While it adds complexity to the story, making it feel like a series of fragmented memories or dreamlike recollections, it comes at the expense of emotional connection. The constant jumping between different moments in the relationship prevents the audience from fully immersing themselves in key events. As a result, some key moments feel rushed, and we miss the opportunity to truly soak in the emotions and ramifications of certain scenes. A more linear approach could have allowed for deeper connection. One of the elements I miss in We Live in Time was a deeper dive into Almut’s career as a chef.
What sacrifices did she make to get where she is?
We’re told that cooking is her passion, but the film doesn’t spend much time exploring why it’s so important to her. What role does cooking play in her identity, and how does it conflict with her personal struggles? By not focusing more on this aspect, the film misses an opportunity to add depth to her character. This would not only help the viewer connect more with her journey, but also make her internal conflict over balancing career and family more urgent and relevant. Product Placement: A Bit of Distraction Let’s talk about Weetabix moments.
Their chemistry alone makes the film worth watching
When a product literally becomes part of the conversation, it feels like the film took a short break to sell us breakfast. It’s a moment that makes you wonder, "How much did Weetabix pay for this?" It didn’t ruin the movie, but I definitely could have done without the snack commercial in the middle of the movie. Strong performances hold it together Despite its flaws, We Live in Time is held together by incredible performances from Garfield and Pugh. . Both actors manage to convey raw emotion with depth, carrying the weight of the film’s emotional core.
If you’re a fan of character-driven romances and strong performances, this film is worth watching
It’s a deeply personal story about love, time, and loss, and while it doesn’t always hit every emotional chord, it still offers moments of true beauty.