Andrew Garfield on love, loss, Elmo and processing it all in his new film, We Live in Time

When Andrew Garfield first donned the Spider-Man suit previously worn by Tobey Maguire, he became the quintessential Peter Parker superhero figure for a new generation of teenagers. However, a small act he undertook late last year has transformed the two-time Oscar-nominated actor into a true hero for the younger generation, and a role model for many.

Sitting on the iconic brown steps of Sesame Street, Garfield engaged in a candid conversation with the beloved Muppet Elmo, discussing his grief following the death of his mother, Lynn, in 2019. He expressed that grief, while painful, also brought him a sense of closeness and joy in remembering his mother. "How lucky are we to be able to feel this much pain because we loved so deeply?" he asked, while discussing his latest romantic comedy, "We Live in Time."

Garfield hopes that this deeply touching dialogue with Elmo, a moment of sincerity and tenderness, will help more children gain the tools to cope with loss and break down the social taboos surrounding the topic. "I really wish, as a young person, I had understood life, death, and the brevity of life sooner," Garfield said, leaning back in his armchair. "Understanding that we are organic, just like plants and animals, that everything has a life cycle and then decays."

In "We Live in Time," the brief candle of our lives shines brightly. The film depicts Florence Pugh as Almut, a culinary chef who accidentally bumps into Garfield's character, Tobias, a clumsy Weetabix marketing executive, on the day Tobias reluctantly signs his divorce papers, leading to an awkward encounter in the hospital. It's a classic romantic comedy setup. However, in this tearjerker directed by John Crowley of "Brooklyn," the path to true love is far from smooth. The film, penned by "The Crown" writer Nick Payne, employs a non-linear narrative approach.

We see scenes of Almut and Tobias arguing over career and children issues, interspersed with them breaking the news of her cancer diagnosis to their young daughter, Ella (Grace Delany). "The non-linear narrative actually made the film more interesting and more challenging than anything I’ve done before," Garfield said. "To make it feel so natural, I wouldn’t say easy, but the anchor was that the script was so tight and so clear about where they were at each particular moment."

Working with a grounded actor like Pugh also helped, with their on-screen chemistry proving to be strong. "It certainly helps when you have a partner who wants to dig as deeply as possible but also wants to be as joyful and silly as possible," he agreed. The film also portrays believable friction between the two, such as when Tobias resents Almut's passion for her career while she is seriously ill. "I don't think Tobias should be an idealized supportive husband," Garfield said. "He has to have some sharp edges. He’s probably very co-dependent, and he probably represses a lot of rage, so when it comes out, it’s quite strong."

Working with Delany went smoothly, despite the notorious show business adage. "They say don't work with animals or children, but Grace was amazing, she loved being on set with us, whereas the dog we had was a bit of a diva," Garfield said, laughing. "The more comfortable Grace was with us, the happier we were, not having to perform anything. You’re looking after a little girl with real feelings, whether they're small or big, you’re making sure she’s looked after and protected. So it was a beautiful thing."

It was also wonderful to be back on set with director Crowley. The Irish director had previously cast Garfield in his thought-provoking debut, "Boy A," in which Garfield played a young offender trying to escape the shadow of a heinous crime committed in his childhood. "We've been looking for a chance to work together again, and finally found this one that felt right for both of us," Garfield said of "We Live in Time." "I admire him so much as a filmmaker and as a human being, I love his sensitivity, his care for actors, and his meticulousness. You really want to hand over the whole vulnerable you to him."

Garfield believes that opening up in this way is one of the greatest aspects of his career. "I've found that the fact that my work allows me to refine and make good use of my life experiences is a gift for me," he said. "I get to express how I feel and let it flow in service of the character or the audience." His reason for sharing his grief with Elmo was also to reach the audience. "That's the point of storytelling, it always has been," Garfield added. "Ever since we first sat around a campfire, it's been a connective, healing ritual. So to be making a film like this, I can heal myself while hopefully helping those in the audience who may need help to access the feelings in their own lives."

He said it’s a win-win situation. "It makes me feel connected to something bigger than myself, something spiritual, and it connects me to the desire of my own life in a way that feels vibrant, revitalizing, and important." "We Live in Time" is now in theaters.