38/18
Is it a sin?
Story
An up-and-coming chef and a recently divorced woman find their lives changed forever when a chance meeting brings them together in a decade-long, deeply moving love story. Florence Pugh described filming the project as “one of the highlights of [her] career”. Author: Al Hazan Performed by: Allie Hazan. Non-Linear Structure: A Double-Edged Sword We Live in Time makes a bold narrative choice using a non-linear structure.
A more linear approach might have allowed for a deeper connection
While this adds complexity to the story, making it feel like a series of fragmented memories or dream flashbacks, it comes at the cost of emotional connection. Constantly jumping between different moments in the relationship prevents viewers from fully immersing themselves in key events. As a result, some key moments feel rushed and we miss the chance to really absorb the emotions and implications of certain scenes. Almut’s Career: A Wasted Opportunity One element I found missing from We Live in Time was a deeper dive into Almut’s career as a chef.
What sacrifices has he made to get where he is?
We’re told that cooking is her passion, but the film doesn’t spend much time exploring why it’s so important to her. What role does the kitchen play in her identity and how does it conflict with her personal struggles? By focusing more on this aspect, the film misses an opportunity to add depth to her character. Not only would this help the viewer connect more with her journey, but it would also make her internal conflict about balancing career and family feel more urgent and believable Product Placement: A Little Distraction Let’s Talk About Weetabix Moments .
Their chemistry alone makes the film worth watching
When the product literally becomes part of the conversation, it feels like the movie just took a short hiatus to sell us breakfast. It’s the kind of moment that makes you wonder, “How much did Weetabix pay for this?” It didn’t ruin the movie, but I definitely could have done without the snack commercial in the middle of the movie. Strong Performances Hold It All Despite its flaws, We Live in Time is held together by incredible performances from Garfield and Pugh. Both actors are able to convey raw emotion with depth, carrying the weight of the film’s emotional core.
Conclusion In the end, Living in Time is not a revolutionary film, but it is honest
It’s a deeply personal story of love, time and loss, and while it doesn’t always hit every emotional beat, it still offers moments of true beauty. If you’re a fan of character driven romances and great performances, this movie is worth a watch. Check out our list of exciting new films from this year’s film festivals, including Venice, TIFF, the New York Film Festival and more.
