Shocking Reality of Living with Cancer Revealed in ‘We Live in Time’ – Heartbreaking Review!

Prior to the debut of the emotionally charged drama “We Live in Time,” A24 shared a promotional image showing the lead characters, portrayed by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, joyfully riding a carousel. However, the image is dominated by a golden, wide-eyed and seemingly possessed carousel horse in the forefront.

The photo quickly became a viral meme, with the horse being inserted into scenes from “The Shining,” “Alien 3,” and other films where its sinister appearance seems more appropriate. It’s as though a leftover prop from “Hereditary” was dusted off from an A24 warehouse and placed into “We Live in Time” to see if anyone would spot it.

What if they did notice? It could potentially inspire a new A24 horror flick focusing on a cursed carousel, symbolizing our monotonous life cycles until we are eventually swept away by Death, symbolized by a wide-eyed carousel horse.

This hypothetical movie would arguably be more intriguing than “We Live in Time,” which feels more like a well-curated Instagram feed presented in a jumbled order. We see scenes of Pugh’s character, renowned chef Almut Brühl, bravely experimenting with daring ingredients. We see her heavily pregnant and painstakingly timing her contractions with the help of her devoted partner, Tobias (Garfield). And we see the couple receiving the devastating news of Almut’s recurring ovarian cancer.

Despite being a tearjerker, it’s questionable whether director John Crowley and scriptwriter Nick Payne would accept this label. The fragmented approach, with scenes seemingly chosen at random, is meant to either conceal or elevate its genre. Instead, it leaves viewers feeling disconnected from Almut and Tobias. They’re treated more as concepts rather than fully developed characters, making it hard for the audience to empathize with their anguish. What good is a romantic tragedy that fails to tug at the heartstrings?

Yet, the leads are undeniably attractive, and Pugh and Garfield’s performances lend credibility even to the most absurd scenes. For instance, when Tobias ventures out into the night in a bathrobe to buy a pen for signing his divorce papers. On his way back, he is hit by a car driven by Almut, and despite his injuries, he’s instantly smitten.

The chemistry between these two talented actors makes the first hour of “We Live in Time” pass quickly, filled with charming encounters, heated arguments, intimate moments, and an overabundance of candles. Pugh imbues Alma with an unpredictable edge, while Garfield’s expressive acting elicits empathy.

However, we know Almut is destined for more profound struggles. The film attempts to delve deeper into her predicament, exploring her concerns about her legacy and the fear that her daughter might only remember her as a cancer patient. Unfortunately, these emotions are only loosely explored, reducing her feelings to a plot twist introduced to create some conflict.

Yet, thanks to Pugh’s performance, Almut is sure to be remembered: “We Live in Time” features countless beautifully lit shots of her and Garfield in picturesque English gardens and sparkling carnivals. These images are bound to become popular memes, replacing the infamous carousel horse. The film may not bring you to tears, but it could leave you coveting Pugh’s stylish shearling jacket. If you like it, why not indulge yourself? As this movie reminds us, life is fleeting.