The generically titled “We Live in Time” is a life-affirming story about Almut (Florence Pugh), a chef, bravely facing cancer. But viewers may be more inclined to weep at how this would-be tearjerker relies on its remarkable star to uplift an otherwise insufferable film.
Almut is first seen running in the countryside where she stops and literally smells some flowers. This scene emphasizes the film’s “savor every moment” theme that “We Live in Time” relentlessly cudgels viewers with for 108 endless minutes. Poorly directed by John Crowley (“Brooklyn”), and badly written by Nick Payne, this film is never subtle or nuanced. It toggles back and forth in time to juxtapose moments that create meaning, but a scene of Almut deciding against treatment followed by her getting her haircut—a cliched literary device that signals life change!—is typical of how heavy-handed the film is.
