‘We Live in Time’ Review: Andrew Garfield & Florence Pugh Lead a Romance for the Ages

With two charismatic Academy Award-nominated actors in a romantic drama together, audiences should get their tissues ready for an emotional showcase. John Crowley‘s We Live in Time stars Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield as a couple navigating the highs and lows of their relationship over several years. Their love story is told in non-sequential order as it bounces between different moments of their partnership. From the moment Almut (Pugh) and Tobias (Garfield) met, to their lives as parents, We Live in Time covers a large amount of their time together.

Pugh and Garfield amplify the heartwarming story written by Nick Payne; there’s no doubt how electric their chemistry is together. While the shifts between the timelines can feel jarring, it’s effectively done to remind viewers that love is not remembered linearly, but through the core memories that affect one’s life.

Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield Will Make Viewers Believe in Love Again

In their first scene together in We Live in Time, Pugh and Garfield effortlessly show how believable they can be as a couple. The physical attraction between them is intense, and the film shows it through scenes that warrant its R-rating. Whether it’s their unique meet-cute (Almut hitting Tobias with her car), or how they adjust their lives after tragic news, the duo handle obstacles together like an ideal couple would. Pugh and Garfield have more than proven themselves to excel in dramatic roles, but We Live in Time takes them to an unprecedented level.

Pugh is given more meat to chew on as Almut, compared to Garfield’s Tobias. She doesn’t want to be defined as just a mother or a wife. Almut is a renowned chef with a restaurant who dreams of competing in one of the biggest cooking competitions in the world, the Bocuse d’Or. Almut’s determination in her career is admirable, even if it comes with sacrifices in other aspects of her life. It’s a tough reminder that life is too short to give up on your passions. Pugh’s full range of emotions in We Live in Time is unlike anything she’s tackled before.

As for Garfield’s Tobias, his goofy charm makes him all the more lovable. He’s a big supporter of Almut but isn’t afraid to challenge her when he deems it necessary. From his facial expressions to his line delivery, Garfield isn’t holding back from giving a heartwrenching performance. Watching Pugh and Garfield play off each other during dramatic scenes is magical. Neither one is overpowering the other; they treat each other as equals, adding to the list of reasons why they make a genuine couple.

‘We Live in Time’ Is an All-Time Best Romantic Drama

As noted in its title, time plays a big factor in the film. Although the story is told over several years, it only captures brief moments of the relationship. In the film’s biggest moments, a ticking clock looms over Tobius and Almut. It’s a harsh reminder of how precious time is, and how we shouldn’t take it for granted. The decision to tell the story non-chronologically plays into the theme of how we look back at our lives, but the jumps back and forth can feel like whiplash between happy and somber moments.

We Live in Time plays out like an extended episode of This Is Us and Netflix‘s One Day adaptation in all the best ways. It hits the necessary emotional beats but plays around with time to catch audiences off-guard with the characters’ journeys. Pugh and Garfield are a magnetic couple that you want to see more of. But just like life, it can come to an end when you least expect it.

We Live in Time is coming to U.S. theaters on October 11. Follow the Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.