Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield have proven time and time again that they are actors worthy of being placed on a pedestal. Their impressive filmographies include an array of diverse roles that showcase their range and dedication to their craft. Pugh, known for taking daring risks in her career, continues to surprise audiences, while Garfield has consistently chosen roles that allow him to reveal new depths of his talent. Now, imagine these two cinematic powerhouses coming together to tell a love story that is as poignant as it is heartbreaking.

In “We Live in Time,” Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) meet in the most extraordinary of circumstances—a car accident where Almut is the driver. This unlikely beginning sparks a romance that promises to last a lifetime, even if that lifetime is shorter than either could have anticipated. As they come to terms with their limited time together, Almut is initially hesitant to invest emotionally in a relationship that might not deliver the outcome she hopes for, while Tobias is determined to fight for every precious moment they have left. Their journey is marked by love, conflict, parenthood, and ultimately, a heartbreaking farewell neither wanted to come so soon.

Nick Payne’s delicate and nuanced screenplay takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster, deftly weaving themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of time. Through their tears, viewers are compelled to reflect on how we all use the time given to us. As Almut and Tobias confront the harsh reality of ovarian cancer, Almut questions the value of undergoing painful chemotherapy that may only extend her life by a small margin. “Why spend what little time I have left in vain and pain when I could be living, loved, and happy?” she asks herself, a line that speaks to her inner conflict and captures the essence of the film’s central dilemma.

Director John Crowley delivers what may be his most beautiful work to date, skillfully navigating the story’s jumps in time to keep the audience emotionally engaged. The film doesn’t hide its inevitable conclusion or offer false hope; instead, it shows how much can be achieved in a short time by two people who are fully aware of their dwindling moments together. Crowley’s direction, combined with the inventively structured narrative, allows viewers to experience Almut and Tobias’s journey in a way that heightens our understanding of how memories collide with the present and how meaning is created through the accumulation of shared experiences.

Featuring gorgeously detailed performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, “We Live in Time” is a masterclass in acting. Pugh is exhilarating as a young woman determined to balance her personal relationships with professional ambitions, while Garfield gives a career-best performance, using Tobias’s innate restraint to reveal a deep well of intense emotion. Together, they ensure that this intricately told story mirrors our own mix of dizziness and gratitude in the face of time’s relentless march.

Crowley, whose previous credits include “Intermission,” “Boy A,” “Brooklyn,” and “The Goldfinch,” has crafted a film that asks profound questions about how to make the most of our time in this world. With “We Live in Time,” he reminds us that life is not about how much time we have but how we choose to spend it with those we love.

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