19/20
film, Boy A (2007)
Tale
An aspiring chef and a recent divorcee find their lives changed forever when a chance meeting brings them together in a deeply moving decade-long love story. Director John Crowley also directed Andrew Garfield in Garfield’s first feature film. Is It a SinWritten by Al HazanInterpreted by Allie Hazan. Non-Linear Structure: A Double-Edged Sword Living in Time makes a bold narrative choice by using a non-linear structure.
A more linear approach would have allowed for a deeper connection
While it adds complexity to the story, making it feel like a series of fragmented memories or dream flashbacks, it comes at the cost 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 chance to really absorb the emotions and consequences of certain scenes. Almut’s Career: A Missed Opportunity One of the things I found missing from We Live in Time was a deeper dive into Almut’s career as a chef.
What sacrifices has he made to get where he 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 the kitchen play in her identity and how does it conflict with her personal struggles? By focusing more on this aspect, the film misses an opportunity to add depth to her character. It would have helped not only connect the viewer more with her journey, but also make her internal conflict about balancing career and family feel more urgent and relatable.
Their chemistry alone makes the film worth watching
When the product literally becomes part of the conversation, it feels like the movie just took a quick break to sell us breakfast. It’s the kind of 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 ad in the middle of the movie. Strong Performances Hold it Together Despite its shortcomings, We Live in Time is held together by the incredible performances of Garfield and Pugh. .
Both actors manage to convey raw emotion with depth, carrying the weight of the film’s emotional core
Conclusion In the end, Living in Time is not a revolutionary film, but it is an honest one. It’s a deeply personal story of love, time and loss, and while it doesn’t always hit every emotional beat, it still offers moments of true beauty. If you’re a fan of character-driven romances and strong performances, this film is well worth a watch.. Check out our list of exciting new films from this year’s film festivals, including Venice, TIFF, The New York Film Festival and many others.
