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We Live In Time- (Non-Spoiler) Review



To be absolutely honest, I wouldn't have watched this film if I had read anything about it. I am reluctant to watch anything where the shadow of death looms over a romantic drama unless its a plot twist. Nevertheless in it's classical sense, this movie embodies the "This is also cinema" spirit where for a change actors, drama and a bit of seamless cinematography is in the lead.











Having seen Florence briefly in 'Oppenheimer' I was curious to see her in the lead, and as they say, 'honest to god', she was fabulous. Even though known for her boldly elegance, in this film, she surely shows what an impeccable actress she is. A story which initially seems transiting towards brutal departure ends with a satisfied exit. A point to be made is, whenever you see an 'A24' banner you can seriously consider watching that film, a reputation HBO once carried.

A couple (Tobias & Almut), having a daughter (Ella), finds out a disturbing reality and has to make a choice.  A simplistic story which is unfortunately not uncommon these days. The most remarkable thing I found is how firmly this film re-establishes the institution of marriage, what it means to be a family and how you navigate too many adverse situations. Though the popular overtone of this film is romantic drama, and it is true to large extent, it is also imperative to note how this film nudges some difficult conversations/situations that are de facto as part of being together. I'm particularly biased towards having conversations between couples where they find each other at opposite poles, at the get-go, something which the film at times doesn't follow. A struggle of a mother to establish some legacy for her daughter to look up to, a dependable bond with a colleague, and a grief-raged dumping of likings are some other things this film attempts to explore. Andrew's role is materially reactionary to the happenings between them and to his credit he does pull it up to depict the toll it takes on one's life. It seems up to this point the cat's out of the box gloomily waving its paw. All hail my 'Non-spoiler review'.


Coming towards the technical aspects, I find the editing is scrumptiously done where the past is pulled to the present and together they move towards the future. The highlight aspect is the cinematography, done even without any picturesque physical landscapes. It focuses on a seamless interlude of close and long shots symbolizing the growing distance between them. In retrospect, the writing part could've been more thought provoking considering the easy storyline. The writers, with all the liberty they had, could have done a better job stretching the conversations to many of its loose ends unless they intentionally chose not to do so.


A passive-serious drama for an audience who actively resents current mediocrity. 

Happy watching!