The upcoming film We Live in Time promises to captivate audiences as Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh take us on an emotional journey this October. As we eagerly anticipate its release, let’s see how this new movie stands out among other great movies that have explored the mysteries and wonders of time.
The trailer dropped two weeks ago. So, what’s the story behind We Live in Time?
In John Crowley’s poignant romance, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield star as Almut and Tobias, whose surprise encounter sparks a decade-spanning love story.
As they build a life together, a difficult truth emerges, challenging them to cherish each moment despite the limits of time.
Without having given too much away, now check out the trailer!
In the trailer, we see Almut and Tobias navigate their past, present, and future together, suggesting that hitting someone with your car might be an unorthodox way to find love.
However, I’d still recommend a safer meet-cute—like bumping into someone at the grocery store reaching for the same box of cereal.
As time goes by, Florence Pugh’s character appears to receive a bad medical diagnosis, which pushes them to make the most of their time together.
At any rate, the movie will undoubtedly be deeply moving, from their initial meeting to their falling in love and raising a child together.
But how will it compare to other incredible films that explore the appreciation of time spent with someone and the rapid passage of moments?
About Time
About Time is a 2013 film that Richard Curtis directed and stars Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy.
The movie revolves around the life of Tim (played by Domhnall Gleeson), who discovers at the age of 21 that he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life.
The film received three wins and nine nominations, including nominations for the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film and Best Editing (Mark Day) from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA.
It offers a unique interpretation of time travel, focusing on reliving and altering past moments rather than travelling to the future.
Unlike About Time, We Live in Time does not involve time-traveling elements. Instead, it focuses on the unfolding of a romance over a decade.
About Time is a movie that truly changed my outlook on life. It encourages you to take a moment, stop and smell the roses, and find beauty, laughter, and love in ordinary living.
It is a tearjerker and I expect We Live in Time to have the same effect.
A message along a similar vein appears in the trailer for We Live in Time, when Andrew Garfield says, “I am guilty of looking ahead instead of right in front of me at you.”
You can watch About Time on Netflix in the United Kingdom.
The Age of Adaline
The Age of Adaline is a 2015 American romantic fantasy film directed by Lee Toland Krieger and stars Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Kathy Baker, Harrison Ford, and Ellen Burstyn.
The film tells the story of Adaline Bowman, a young woman who stops ageing after an accident at the age of twenty-nine.
The film received one win and ten nominations, including nominations for the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film and Best Actress (Blake Lively) from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA.
Through Adaline’s unique circumstances, the movie imparts an important message about appreciating the present and cherishing the moments we have.
Unlike The Age of Adaline, which involves a supernatural element of ceaseless youth, We Live in Time does not involve any fantastical elements.
Adaline’s immortality was a curse, as it meant she would outlive everyone she became close to, serving as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of life.
We Live in Time, too, appears to remind the audience of this, but from a different angle that is perhaps more realistic and relatable than immortality under supernatural circumstances.
You can rent The Age of Adaline in the UK on Amazon Prime.
Past Lives
PAST LIVES is a 2023 romantic drama film written and directed by Celine Song in her feature directorial debut.
Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro, the film follows two childhood friends over 24 years as they contemplate the nature of their relationship while growing apart and living different lives.
The film has received multiple accolades, including five nominations at the 81st Golden Globe Awards.
At the 96th Academy Awards, it was nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture.
While PAST LIVES explores the nature of a relationship between childhood friends who grow apart over time, We Live in Time centres around a chance encounter that brings two individuals together and changes their lives.
PAST LIVES is more grounded in the reality of childhood sweethearts reconnecting when time has moved on and another partner is involved.
It perfectly captures the challenging feelings of uncertainty about life decisions and what might have been if you had made different choices.
However, it effectively conveyed that you shouldn’t get too stuck in the past. Timing, after all, is everything.
I particularly admire the cinematography of PAST LIVES, a standard I now expect from every A24 film I watch—including We Live in Time!
You can find this film on Netflix in the UK.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romantic sci-fi comedy-drama written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry.
Featuring a star-studded cast with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, and supported by Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, and Elijah Wood, the film has gained cult status and grossed over $72 million worldwide.
It received critical acclaim for its innovative plot structure and standout performances.
In total, it has won 73 awards and received 111 nominations.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind tells the story of Joel Barish (played by Jim Carrey), who discovers that his long-time girlfriend, Clementine Kruczynski (played by Kate Winslet), has undergone a psychiatrist’s experimental procedure to erase all her memories of him.
The film uses elements of psychological drama, science fiction, and a nonlinear narrative to create a poignant reminder that even painful memories have their place in shaping who we are and how we love.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind uses time to explore love, memory, and regret, while We Live in Time appears to use time to examine change and the progression of life.
I hope Pugh and Garfield will portray their characters with the same raw honesty as Joel and Clementine.
After all, in an interview with Variety, Pugh mentioned that she only chooses very intense roles and has never taken on a role unless it scares her.
You can watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on NOW TV.
Where does this leave We Live In Time?
We Live in Time will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, followed by a limited release in the United States on October 11th.
Only time will tell how it stacks up against past iconic films about time, but all signs point towards a impactful movie you cant miss.
Unfortunately, the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe don’t have a release date yet, but I’d guess it might hit theaters in December 2024 or January 2025!
Good news, if you have not seen the movies mentioned above, now is your chance!
