“We Live in Time”, one of the most highly-anticipated movies of 2024, premiered in theaters on Oct. 11, 2024. Starring actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, the film is a poignant portrayal of love and loss but with a romantic-comedy chemistry between the two characters.

Almut and Tobias, played by Pugh and Garfield respectively, first meet at a hospital after Almut runs Tobias over with her car. The circumstances of their meeting is so unbelievable, yet the acting of Pugh and Garfield make their relationship seem completely real and tangible. Their relationship finally begins when Tobias, recently divorced, goes to the opening of Almut’s new restaurant, as she invited him to make up for the accident.

The span of the two’s relationship is broken up throughout the film, giving the viewer glimpses of the past and present within three different timelines. The abrupt switches between the different timelines emphasize the stark reality of how much things can change in such a short span of time. The audience learns early on, in the present timeline, that Almut has a relapse of ovarian cancer and must make the choice whether to go through with extensive months of treatment or, as she puts it, enjoy the limited time she has with Tobias and their daughter. Though Almut does decide to go through with the chemotherapy, she and Tobias come to the agreement that regardless, they would attempt to make the most of their inevitably fleeting time together.

One of the most beautiful aspects of the film is the complexity of Almut’s character and the sheer amount of passion she has for her craft. Her dedication and zeal is persistent in each timeline as her success as a chef grows, even as her health weakens. Her character is a representation of the difficulty of the sacrifices we make to pursue our dreams, despite all odds. 

The complex topic of having children is recurrent throughout the film, as Almut is adamant from the beginning of their relationship that she does not want any children. This causes one of the couple’s first fights, as their views on having a family and children are the complete opposite of each other. However, when she is first diagnosed with ovarian cancer later on in the first timeline, Almut comes to the realization that a part of her really might want to start a family with Tobias, showing how much their relationship and the trust they have in each other has grown. 

The dynamic of Almut and Tobias’ relationship with each other, and then eventually as parents to their daughter, is beautifully portrayed by both actors in a way that feels authentic. The movie gained a lot of traction in the media both leading up to and after its premiere, but surely enough, it was a worthy watch. “We Live in Time” is a sweet but heartbreaking film that is sure to invoke tears among viewers, as the story of Almut and Tobias reflects the importance of cherishing the time we have with those we love.