We Live in Time may well be renamed The Cruel Price of Love, for this is a bittersweet romance, featuring striking performances.
Set in London, Almut (Florence Pugh) is a 34-year-old master chef, highly dedicated to her profession. She used to be a champion figure skater.
In short, Almut is not afraid to speak her mind and is driven to succeed.
Tobias (Andrew Garfield) works for cereal company Weetabix.
Sensitive and considerate, he is about to be divorced when he meets Almut in less-than-ideal circumstances.
She runs him over in her car.
Thereafter, the sparks fly between them. They are besotted.
Still, Tobias wants to start a family, while Almut does not, but things can change.
The biggest impediment is Almut’s health. The big “C” has returned.
She has stage 3 ovarian cancer and is facing another gruelling round of chemotherapy before doctors will even contemplate surgery.
Speaking openly with Tobias about what lies ahead, Almut isn’t sure she wants to go through all of that and contemplates making the most of the time she has left.
As the dire diagnosis is delivered, she is contacted by her old boss and former lover, Simon Maxson (Adam James), who is unaware of Almut’s ill health.
He invites her to enter arguably the world’s most prestigious cooking competition – which pits nation against nation – which she does, without telling Tobias.
Written by Tony-nominated playwright Nick Payne and directed by John Crowley (The Goldfinch), the narrative moves back and forth in time.
It starts with Almut’s doctor Kerri Weaver (Lucy Briers) delivering the bad news to her and Tobias.
While heart wrenching, We Live in Time is also infused with humour and joy.
Unquestionably, the script is elevated by the rich, rounded and redolent showings of Pugh and Garfield who have a palpable chemistry between them.
It is all about how they deliver their lines – the expression in their voices, the look in their faces – and their connection.
They inhabit their characters with potency and personality.
I was also taken by the spark Grace Delaney displayed in the role of Almut and Tobias’ young daughter Ella.
Among the many standout scenes is the less than conventional situation the leads find themselves in when Almut is about to give birth.
We Live in Time is a moving and memorable contemporary love story that plays on life’s vicissitudes.
Rated M, it scores a 7½ out of 10.
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