Time is probably one of the most wild concepts out there. In many ways, ‘time’ falls into the same trap of ‘reality.’ Both ‘time’ and ‘reality’ are perceived from the individual standpoint, despite tools we have to record time, such as clocks or video cameras. In film, the past, present, and future can be displayed, and displaced, as the director and editor choose. Thinking about this, the new title We Live in Time explores this concept of unordered time through a young couple’s happenstance life journey, plus focusing on key moments in a very heartfelt way.
Directed by John Crowley (Boy A 2007, Brooklyn 2015), and set for release in theaters on October 11, 2024 through A24, We Live in Time deals with life’s emotional subject matter including love, illness, success, hope, and loss. The two main characters Almut (Florence Pugh: The Falling 2014, Lady Macbeth 2016) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield: The Amazing Spider-Man 2012, Hacksaw Ridge 2016) are portrayed in very vulnerable ways throughout the film. Even though the time sequence fluidly and abruptly jumps around, it is clear when in time the scenes take place in their lives. Some comic relief moments are sprinkled in sparingly throughout, but overall it is a major tear-jerker.
On a personal note, the cancer-driven illness roller coaster of emotions hit very close to home, and before the advanced screening of We Live in Time, they handed out a pack of tissues with the name of the film on it. Everyone took them, because who doesn’t like free door prizes? However, no one expected they would need them. The raw emotions that ooze out of the screen and into every heart in the audience at times are filled with very intense sadness.
There have been plenty of films out there that show the ugly sides of illness, but We Live in Time managed to yank at heartstrings without any disturbing visuals of the progression of the disease. That is quite a feat in itself, and to top it off, they still managed to keep it quite realistically portrayed down to the emotional power struggle that comes with diminishing hope.
We Live in Time is a modern portrayal of the ever-present struggle to conquer time to an individual’s satisfaction. Unfortunately, humans are still at the mercy of forward progression… and there is no going back. We Live in Time’s stellar acting, precise editing, and visual vulnerabilities seem to really stand the test of time in attracting the right attention for the right reasons. A highly recommended emotional roller coaster cry-fest, Cryptic Rock gives We Live in Time 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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