This movie is staggering in its portrayal of love.

The film follows a man who works for Wheatabix, Tobias, and a chef/restauranteur, Almut, played by Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh respectively, and their relationship as they navigate difficult, yet common, events.

We Live in Time follows a classic formula for movies: “What if we take the two most charming and charismatic British people currently working, make them fall in love, and then suffer?”

Over the course of the picture, which is told non-linearly, it’s revealed that Almut has ovarian cancer and chooses to keep one of her ovaries in order to have a child with Tobias. This is a change for the character we first meet in the film who makes it clear that she has no interest in kids while Tobias makes it equally clear that having a child is of the utmost import to him. They manage to have a daughter despite the difficulties.

The cancer comes back.

This film cements two opinions I’ve had for the last few years and that is thus: Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh are two of the most electrifying performers currently working. They are both playful, yet grounded, empathetic yet clear in intent, and, of course, incredibly charming. I could not think of two people I’d want to watch on screen more as a couple than these two actors. In my heart, I hope against hope that they’ll make a couple more movies together in a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan kind of way.

I cannot praise these two enough.

I was particularly taken with Garfield’s comedic timing and his ability to make pain funny. He’s always been good at that, but his abilities are at full bent in this picture. Likewise, having seen Florence in mostly comedic roles I was struck by her ability to be grounded in portraying what are incredibly difficult circumstances.

They’re also both naked a lot.

The script is also incredibly strong, creating joy and humor out of desperately difficult circumstances. The direction is similarly impressive, you can tell exactly when we are in Tobias and Almut’s relationship due to the set decoration and other subtle indicators. All of it is impressive, it’s difficult to tell a story out of sequence and the entire crew does a fantastic job of it.

So, I was sobbing in the theatre, as was everyone else, not a dry eye in the house as they say. It’s an amazing picture and one I’ll again gladly see, but now knowing its tone, will most likely enjoy it more. As I took my seat right as Nicole Kidman told us that AMC Theaters ‘Makes Movies Better’ I looked around and realized that it was mostly young women sitting with me to watch this film. It’s been a while since a full-on “Chick Flick” was in the cinema and I’m glad it’s making a comeback.

If you’re a fan of crying in the theatre with strangers, as I am, I cannot recommend this film enough.

The Runtime is 108 minutes.