By: Lucy Panicacci

Editor-in-Chief

Warning: spoilers ahead for We Live In Time

The A24 film We Live in Time left my face soaked in tears. A heartfelt love story, the movie follows the relationship between the characters Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield). The couple meets in an unexpected way: Almut hits Tobias with her car. Despite the rough start, Almut and Tobias share undeniable chemistry — both unafraid to express how much they care for each other. The nonlinear storytelling of the film takes snapshots from their life, showing as they fall in love, have a family, and confront the life-altering news: Almut’s diagnosis with ovarian cancer. Through this raw portrayal of love, We Live in Time broke my heart for these three reasons.

1) We learn about Almut’s fate from the start. In the first scene of the film, the doctor diagnoses Almut with Stage 3 ovarian cancer for the second time. After going through the process of beating cancer once before, Almut confronts the real possibility that she will not be able to beat it again. She admits to Tobias that she would rather have “six amazing, fantastic, proactive months than 12 really, really passive ones.” By starting the film knowing that Almut’s life might likely end, the rest of the movie shines through a melancholy lens. As we watch Almut and Tobias become enamored with each other or Tobias taking care of Almut as she is pregnant, there is a lingering twinge of sadness — a vision that their lives together are not going to turn out as expected. 

2) Tobias displays pure love for Almut, accentuating this sadness. A symbol for Tobias’ love is his notebook. When Almut is pregnant, he notes down the doctor’s explanations and keeps track of all the minutes between contractions; when Almut goes through her first cancer diagnosis, he copies down each step of treatment. When he doesn’t know how to respond, he takes the time to process his thoughts and writes detailed descriptions of them to her. Dedicating his notebook to Almut, Tobias understands that “To be loved is to be known.” 

3) Almut struggles with the idea of her demise. Upon learning of the reemergence of her cancer, Almut joins the prestigious Bocuse d’Or culinary competition. Even if the rigor of competition sacrifices the effectiveness of the cancer treatments, she can’t bear the idea of dying without one last achievement. Almut confesses to Tobias that she doesn’t want her daughter to remember only her declining health. This heartbreaking moment devastated me to watch as Almut exhausted herself, hoping her daughter would not forget her. She had planned to watch her daughter grow up, but now she only got to see the beginning. The nail in the coffin is the end of the film, following Almut’s death. Tobias shows their daughter how to crack an egg the best way — the way Almut showed him — carrying on Almut’s spirit. This simple act of remembrance honestly made me sob. 

I can’t say We Live in Time is a revolutionary film. Has it been done before? Was it a bit cheesy? Could anyone have predicted the ending? Yes to all three. Yet, I loved it nonetheless. The film We Live in Time is a reminder to openly appreciate those around you. Act in the present and dedicate yourself to those who matter in your life.