Movie Review: Great Performances Make ‘We Live in Time’ an Enjoyable Romantic Tragedy

John Crowley’s new romantic drama We Live in Time has two things going for it: the leads, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, and a non-linear structure.

It’s been a while since I’ve experienced a traditional romantic tragedy in today’s cinema, so maybe it was because I was reminded how much I enjoy the genre when it’s well executed that I could look past the story’s fairly basic narrative. Here we have a couple dealing with unfortunate circumstances amid ordinary relationship developments, and it’s completely sold by the actors.

Set in modern London, from the early 2010s to 2023, Almut Brühl (Pugh) is a successful chef who runs a high-end restaurant on top of winning cooking competitions, while Tobias Darmund (Garfield) works in the marketing department of a cereal company. The pair have an unusual introduction when Almut sends Tobias to the hospital after she accidentally hits him with her car. A decade later, they’re happily living together with their 4-year-old daughter, Ella (Grace Delaney), when Almut discovers she has contracted ovarian cancer.

Douglas Hodge and Lee Braithwaite co-star as Tobias’ father and Almut’s colleague-turned-cooking partner. We Live in Time was written by playwright Nick Payne.

Crowley returns to the familiar territory of his previous critical hit Brooklyn (2015) following attractive young people in love. Here the director plus editor Justine Wright effectively tells our tale out of order, but not in a confusing or convoluted way, or spoon-fed with title cards for dates and locations.

But it’s the performances by Garfield — reuniting with Crowley since breaking through in Boy A (2007) two decades ago — and Pugh who hold the film together. Two of the best working actors of each’s generation effortlessly showing off their range from the dramatic monologues and arguments to the amusing comic relief in between. The love scenes are also a refreshing return to the graphic, yet sensual, passion in R-rated dramas.

On paper, We Live in Time doesn’t really add anything new to its genre, and would come across as derivative if the scenes were in traditional order. But if you’re a fan of movie romances and the two stars, it could be enough for you.