A24’s latest film “We Live In Time” plays it safe

When you think of A24, the production company behind films like “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “Moonlight,” “Midsommar” and more, what often comes to mind are “against the grain” films – a breath of fresh air against cookie cutters, Mainstream studios.

However, as A24 has started releasing more films, it seems to have become more mainstream; Maybe the focus will shift to more accessible films.

A24’s latest romance film, starring Andrew Garfield (“The Amazing Spider-Man”) and Florence Pugh (“Midsommar”), certainly plays by the rules a lot more than previously expected from the typically quirky arthouse studio.

We Live In Time is a comprehensive exploration of what it means to be attached to a loved one for a long period of time. Told largely in a nonlinear manner, the film follows a couple, Tobias (Garfield) and Almut (Pugh), as they deal with the difficulties that life brings to their relationship, including complications surrounding Almut’s pregnancy and her battle with cancer , while also trying to keep her job as a respected chef.

Although the film begins from the perspective of Tobias, who develops into a supportive partner, the narrative also focuses on Almut’s difficulties.

Like the relationship between Tobias and Almut, the film itself is full of ups and downs. On the one hand, there are some truly poignant moments, particularly during Almut’s treatment and in Tobias’ relationship with her daughter. The ending is very well directed and ties up this narrative, which jumps back and forth over long periods of time, in a satisfying if heartbreaking way.

The problem is that these heartfelt, heavy moments are never quite as impactful as they could be, because We Live In Time jumps right in from the second the projector starts rolling and doesn’t let up until the credits roll. The film doesn’t leave enough time to get to know Tobias and Almut as real people and not just as vessels of suffering and to care for them.

The first half of the film focuses mostly on their budding relationship, which is the least compelling part of the film and is pretty reminiscent of an airport novel. Their romance is never given time to breathe as it is constantly undermined by flashbacks and flashbacks to different times in their relationship.

The second half of the film is much more endearing, perhaps because the non-linear narrative is dispensed with and the characters’ lives can unfold one after the other.

While the big emotional moments are still evocative in a way that will move many people to tears in the theater, they still seem terribly predictable.

Perhaps “We Live In Time” suffers from the success of a studio in A24 that took the world by storm and won several Oscars – including many Best Picture – over the last decade. No matter the brand, We Live In Time constantly feels like it’s afraid to throw a curveball that would allow it to stand out from the plethora of other films telling a similar story.

Rather, it relies on tried-and-true storytelling methods and the acting skills of its two superstar leads to achieve a response that might be just enough to make “We Live In Time” leave viewers misty-eyed as they leave the theater.

Rating: 3/5