WE LIVE IN TIME (2024) – Romantic drama that brings nothing new to the genre
Rating: ⭐ 1/2

“We Live In Time” is yet another romantic drama chronicling the plight of a young couple confronted with the harrowing reality of cancer, with the female protagonist tragically afflicted by a terminal illness. Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh take on the leading roles, and despite their commendable performances and evident on-screen chemistry, the film fails to fully capitalize on their talents. Directed by John Crowley, the execution of the film lacks the necessary passion and emotional depth to do justice to the narrative.
The use of multiple timelines and nonlinear storytelling adversely affects the film’s coherence. While such techniques can be effective in providing deeper insights when spanning significant time periods, here, the minimal age differences between the timelines generate confusion and disrupt the narrative flow. A more linear approach would have undoubtedly enhanced the film’s coherence.
The title of the film, although forgettable, on reflection, carries a more profound meaning than the movie itself, suggesting that “time does not wait for us” and emphasizing the importance of cherishing every moment. Regrettably, this theme is not strongly conveyed in the film.
Both Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh are exceptionally talented actors, and it is disheartening to witness their potential being underutilized in a project that resorts to gratuitous nudity in multiple love scenes and an excessively graphic childbirth sequence, which add little to the core narrative. These elements appear as superficial padding to an already thin storyline, offering minimal insight into the genuine challenges associated with such tragedies. The depiction of a stage 3 cancer patient enduring the rigors of an esteemed international cooking competition also strains credulity.
Ultimately, the film comes across as clichéd and emotionally manipulative. For a more authentic and moving portrayal of a romantic tragedy involving terminal illness, I recommend the 1970 classic “Love Story,” featuring Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw.