Director John Crowley’s new movie, We Live in Time, with the actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfieldld, is truly a timeline masterpiece of what understanding the importance of life too late feels like. Although this movie is rated R, and understandably so, it sends an important lesson to all ages.
The idea of being forgotten when you die is truly a fear that many possess. Pugh’s character, Almut, experiences this looming concern when a huge life obstacle threatens her family’s happiness and her dreams. Almut has a hard time expressing what she wants to do about the situation, however Crowley hits it out of the park with his sets, making her intentions crystal clear.
The use of lighting in this story brought to life the importance of having loved ones around during tough times like the ones that Almut was experiencing. The warm lighting always represented a family atmosphere, where Almut felt supported and loved. When the lighting got hard and cold, it sent a message to the audience saying that she felt alone, without any words spoken.
Throughout the film, the use of symbolism continued with the idea of two objects that are typically shared by two people in a relationship. I personally loved this message, because it showed a side to relationships that is not talked about enough. If the partnership between the two characters was going south, they would be met with two toothbrushes, two beds, and two glasses on the kitchen table, which was a constant reminder of the life that they built together.
Although there are many positives to this movie, like the symbolism and use of a unique set, there were some unnecessary scenes that did not fully contribute to the plot. They filled space, and took up valuable time that could have been used for other plot lines. However, every movie has these moments, so I am sure that it was ignored by the audience, and did not pose a threat to the movie’s high ratings.
I would highly recommend this movie to any rom-com lover, or to anyone that loves a good cry. It is embarrassing to say, but I did end up crying seven times throughout the entire movie, even though I pretty much knew what was going to happen.
The sadness and love that this movie represented definitely changed my perspective on life, and how enjoying everything as it comes is the most important aspect of living. If you are too hung up on what went wrong in the past, you begin to lose sight of the people that need you, and the things that you need. This movie did an excellent job at portraying this, and ultimately let it to getting 77% on the rotten tomatometer.
This movie will be released on demand on November 25, but until then it is available in theaters. If you are embarrassed to cry in public, I would recommend waiting until you are in the privacy of your own home.
