We Live in Time, starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, is a rom-com trying to avoid schmaltz

Love stories centered around one partner having a terminal illness have long been a common theme in romantic comedy films. "We Live in Time" also adopts this pattern, attempting to present love in a tear-jerking manner.

Directed by John Crowley and starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, the film is currently in theaters. After watching, audiences may have two drastically different feelings: either finding it unremarkable or being deeply moved and heartbroken.

The film begins with the audience following the female lead, Almut (Florence Pugh), into her world. She returns to her comfortable country home after a morning run, where the male lead, Tobias (Andrew Garfield), is still asleep. The scene depicts a picture of happiness and contentment. However, the core concept of "We Live in Time" is that various timelines of Almut and Tobias' lives occur simultaneously. The plot jumps between Almut's childbirth, her diagnosis of recurrent ovarian cancer, and their individual lives before they met, using a non-linear narrative similar to montage.

The film presents truncated moments of their lives, such as their first meeting, their first time in bed together, their first meeting with parents, and Almut's cancer recurrence. Almut's different hairstyles and Tobias' glasses in his old age become markers for the audience to identify the timelines. However, this narrative approach may overlook the subtle moments in life that make up most of our daily routines, the long stretches of time we spend waiting for life to happen. This sense of loss is somewhat diminished when the film transitions to a more linear narrative in the latter half.

In the earliest timeline, Almut is a 34-year-old accomplished chef who owns her own restaurant. Tobias, on the other hand, holds an unspecified position at a Weetabix company. Almut's character is more fleshed out, not only having a job she loves but also being a former competitive figure skater. In contrast, Tobias appears mysterious; aside from a brief marriage and a good relationship with his father, his main character traits seem to be a desire to have children and a sense of daily responsibility. The film is primarily told from Almut's perspective, with her exploration of motherhood, purpose, and passion driving the plot.

As a modern romantic comedy, "We Live in Time" cleverly portrays the complexities of modern dating. Dating partners in their 30s are likely to be divorced, and the issue of having children may need to be discussed before getting to know each other. Unlike past romantic comedies that aimed for marriage as the ultimate goal, "We Live in Time" jumps straight to children, reflecting a shift in people's views on marriage and economics. In the film, Almut eventually changes her mind about not wanting children, which aligns with reality, but seeing a woman who insists on not having children might be more in line with today's declining birth rates.

Adding to the complexity, Almut is diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer early in her relationship with Tobias. This is reminiscent of romantic comedies like "The Big Sick," where two people who have just met face unexpected difficulties together. Almut's cancer unfortunately recurs after she gives birth, and her decision to have a child is closely linked to the recurrence, a cruel twist of fate that the film does not explore in great detail.

Although "We Live in Time" tries to avoid overly sentimental scenes, it still falls into clichés. For example, the scene where Almut and Tobias tell their adorable daughter about Almut's illness, and the repetitive scenes of them trying to conceive, feel contrived. The most moving and believable parts of the film are the exploration of the subtle quirks, lies, and contradictions that make up a person. Tobias is portrayed as a near-perfect partner, but his awkward conversations with Almut about children, and her instinctive reactions, feel real and believable.

Similarly, the unpleasant details of everyday life, such as a pen that doesn't work, a seatbelt that won't retract, mistakes while parking, and a rumbling stomach at an inopportune time, are cleverly captured. "We Live in Time" is an intimate film full of detail, and the strong chemistry between Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield carries the movie. While it is innovative in its timeline structure, it doesn't completely subvert tradition, but it is still a worthwhile watch among tear-jerking romantic comedy films.