At the heart of 'We Live in Time' lies an unconventional love tale that defies conventional storytelling norms. Not merely does it unravel in a nonlinear fashion, but it kicks off with a jarring twist—Almut (portrayed by Florence Pugh) accidentally colliding with Tobias (Andrew Garfield) with her car. This narrative is laced with a poignancy that takes one's breath away. Mere moments into the film's opening, Almut is dealt a devastating blow—a cancer diagnosis that casts a palpable shadow over every frame, even as it weaves in moments of joy and the blossoming bond between her and Tobias.
Yet, Almut transcends the confines of being merely a wife or a terminally ill woman. Pugh, in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, revealed that her character is engaged in a relentless struggle to balance her aspirations as a competitive chef with the responsibilities of motherhood. "Numerous women today grapple with this delicate tightrope walk, and its intricacies are profound," she said. "But pursuing one doesn't necessitate abandoning the other. Almut yearns to accomplish all her dreams, now more than ever, for her daughter's sake."
Pugh added that finding that elusive equilibrium between ambition and parenthood is a personal conversation she's having at this juncture of her life, observing similar reflections among her friends and siblings. She feels "honored" to embody this complex dynamic on screen.
As Almut's prognosis darkens, her resolve to leave a lasting legacy through her career intensifies, driven by a fear of being forgotten beyond her roles as mother and wife. "The thought of erasure is unbearable," Almut laments, tears streaming down her face. In her quest for immortality, Tobias grapples with supporting her while grappling with his own emotional turmoil. Their grief manifests in disparate yet intertwined ways.
Garfield acknowledges the film's melancholic undercurrent but emphasizes that sorrow serves a profound purpose. Speaking to Yahoo Entertainment, he explained that emotionally charged cinema offers "a sacred space for us to come together in our shared sorrow and yearnings." The art of narrating sorrow, he said, is a "healing balm" that fosters connection. "It reminds us that we're all part of the human tapestry, enduring similar trials. You are my mirror, and I, yours. Until we recognize this, we risk feeling isolated and lonely, a common sentiment in our society."
After the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Garfield engaged with the audience, who shared how specific scenes resonated with them, evoking profound emotions. "Friends confessed to each other, 'I'm grateful to have found my soulmate and share this love,'" he recounted. Another couple, inspired by the film, expressed their desire to expand their family with another child.
Garfield has been vocal about his relationship with grief, particularly in light of his mother's passing from pancreatic cancer. During a 2021 interview on 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' to promote 'Tick, Tick... Boom!', in which he portrayed Jonathan Larson, Garfield's poignant remarks about grief went viral. "I cherish this grief because it's a testament to the love I never got to fully express to her," he said. "And I told her every day, as did we all. She was the epitome of goodness."
In 'We Live in Time', Garfield's character confronts the same heartache of losing a beloved to cancer, echoing his personal journey. Yet, he urges against letting the fear of grief deter us from embracing love and taking risks. "Loving fully hurts because it inevitably leads to loss," he said. "But it's the only path to a vibrant, fulfilling life that shatters our hardened hearts, allowing us to reconnect with ourselves and feel love in all its depths. Grief, I believe, is a portal to our hearts, where love resides."
'We Live in Time' hits theaters on October 11, inviting audiences on a poignant journey that transcends sorrow and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.
