Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) are brought together by a surprise encounter that changes their lives. As they embark on a path challenged by the limits of time, they learn to cherish each moment of their unconventional love story.

Directed by John Crowley (Brooklyn), We Live in Time is, at its heart, a deeply moving romantic drama that intertwines themes of joy, heartbreak, and reconciliation. The story follows the relationship between its two leads as it blossoms, unravels, and evolves in unexpected ways. Much like its title suggests, the film weaves past, present, and future into a seamless narrative, challenging viewers to reflect on how the moments we live shape who we are. The screenplay, penned by Nick Payne, is as much a love story as it is a philosophical exploration of time. Payne’s writing is sharp, intimate, and poetic, delving into the intricacies of human relationships with profound sensitivity. The dialogue feels authentic, often packing a hefty emotional punch that will leave you reaching for tissues. Payne’s ability to balance tenderness with heartbreak is exceptional, making every scene feel earned and deeply resonant.

One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in the stellar performances of its two leads. Florence Pugh delivers a raw and compelling performance, capturing the full spectrum of emotions that her Almut endures. Her portrayal is nuanced, vulnerable, and utterly magnetic. Meanwhile, Andrew Garfield matches her intensity with an equally impressive performance, showcasing a quiet yet profound depth that tugs at the heartstrings through his sincere presence as her lover Tobias. Together, Pugh and Garfield have electric chemistry, and we watch in wonder as the relationship between Almut and Tobias grows over the narrative, with the little moments captured in such perfect morsels of cinematic love. Their on-screen dynamic is authentic and brimming with emotion, making their characters’ journey feel all the more personal and relatable. Watching them navigate the complexities of love is a masterclass in acting, and their synergy elevates the film to a whole new level.

Adding to the film’s allure is the stunning cinematography by Sean Bobbitt (12 Years a Slave). The visuals are rich and evocative, perfectly capturing the beauty of fleeting moments and the passage of time, while also staying true to the very Englishness of the film’s narrative and setting. Whether it’s the glow of a sunlit room or the stark isolation of a rainy street, Bobbitt’s work enhances the film’s emotional core. Complementing the visuals is the hauntingly beautiful score by Max Richter (Ad Astra). His compositions amplify the film’s emotional gravity, weaving seamlessly into the narrative and enhancing the storytelling in profound ways.

We Live in Time is more than just a film—it’s an experience. With its heartfelt performances, evocative storytelling, and lush visuals, it’s a testament to the power of cinema to move and inspire. Fans of emotionally driven dramas will find themselves captivated, while those looking for a thought-provoking exploration of love and loss will walk away deeply satisfied.

Image: StudioCanal

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An intimate look at the extraordinary rise, fall, and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker (Jessica Chastain). In the 1970s and ’80s, Tammy Faye and her husband Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield), rose from humble beginnings to create the world’s largest religious broadcasting network and theme park and were revered for their message of love, acceptance, and prosperity. Tammy Faye was legendary for her indelible eyelashes, her idiosyncratic singing, and her eagerness to embrace people from all walks of life. However, it wasn’t long before financial improprieties, scheming rivals, and scandal toppled their carefully constructed empire.

Hollywood star Jessica Chastain joins forces with filmmaker Michael Showalter for a groovy, hip, witty and dramatic true story of faith and love with the extraordinary true-life story of Tammy Faye Bakker. Charting the rise of Tammy Faye from obscurity in the early 1960s to a successful early television career before she and her husband Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield) go on to become the pre-eminent American Christian televangelists in the 1970s and 1980s, The Eyes of Tammy Faye is truly something else. It’s a fast-moving, feet-tapping movie that brings a great musical-comedy to the sensational true-life of Tammy Faye, and just when you think this woman’s life couldn’t get more extraordinary, it does. Showalter embraces the faith and style of Tammy Faye in his production and his direction makes for a colourful, yet dramatic character study.

In viewing The Eyes of Tammy Faye I had recollections of comedy-musical classic Grease and Showalter’s attention to detail pulls you in fast. With Chastain as his creative partner, the two craft a very engaging film that touches on the subject matter very few know about and the depth and detail of this movie are incredibly interesting to look at. Taking audiences inside the light and grace of the American evangelical movement and its prominence in the voice of conservative American politics during the Regan era, there’s a lot of story contained in the narrative of The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Showalter gives Chastain the space for her to showcase her considerable acting chops as she fully embraces the character of Tammy Faye, and brings to life the light and joy, trials and tribulations and ultimately the faith of her life.

For Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a truly transformative role and she slips completely into the voice, stance and style of the famed Tammy Faye. Best described as a maximalist in every possible way, complete with a mink coat, voluminous red hair, big lips, bigger eye-liner and a spot on ‘Minnesota Nice’ accent, Tammy Faye Bakker is one of a kind. She’s a woman who stands out amongst the crowd, but she’s neither selfish nor self-involved and this is a woman just being herself, rather than putting on any kind of mask. A natural entertainer in every sense of the word, Tammy Faye loves to perform and bring joy to her audience and will do everything in her power to give them a little bit of her faith.

Chastain shows the full breadth of Tammy Faye as a woman. Always a good Christian girl, she’s someone who needs to give love and receive it with open arms. She’s simply a lover of people and God and you feel in Chastain’s performance a true empathy for those people she’s around. Tammy Faye is also not one to shy away from controversy and in the harsh conservative era of the 1980s, she engages in a dialogue on subjects ranging from sex to LGBT rights to the rise of the AIDs crisis and infidelity. Chastain doesn’t hide anything in her performance of Tammy Faye, and this includes a dangerous and prolonged drug addiction that almost killed her, but which in its aftermath made her stronger as a person. And audiences are treated to Chastain’s incredible signing voice and she can carry a serious note.

Alongside its exploration of Chastain’s Tammy Faye audiences are also introduced to her do-gooding, yet shady husband Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield). Starting as a committed evangelical preacher, Jim soon brings a world of sin into his life which lead to a horrific sexual assault scandal and one of America’s biggest ever fraud cases through Bakker’s misappropriation of funds from his ministry PTL. Andrew Garfield brings terrific movement to his performance, starting with a ‘gee-whizz’ kind of good-boy vibe, before turning into a vindictive two-faced villain who will do anything to keep his ministry afloat, no matter how low he has to reach. Joining Garfield as the film’s co-villain is Vincent D’Onofrio as the famed minister and conservative American voice Jerry Falwell, and he’s perfect as the hard-lined conservative who’ll do anything to see his vision of America realized.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye deals with big issues of sincerity, faith and above all things love. It’s the expression and acceptance of love in the film that is its most dominant theme, and this essential human emotion has a big emphasis on Tammy Faye’s character development throughout the narrative. As a young girl who was born illegitimate and always wanted love from her harsh-tonged mother, Tammy Faye will go to any length to find it, and it’s the dominating force in her life. Her need to feel love and express it guides every action she takes in the film, and you see a woman who truly cares for people, and that’s rare in the judgement-filled world in which she lives and works. Chastain has a clear handling of the narrative’s themes in her performance, and through her, they make this movie so special to watch.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a picture that is sure to move and entertain you. It’s packed together with music, light and fun and is a portrait of an extraordinary woman. You can’t help but feel moved by its narrative and it’s one of the best times you’ll have at the movies all year.

Image: 20th Century Studios

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Based on the true life of Robin Cavendish (Garfield), a man who is struck down by polio in the prime of his life and is given only months to live. But thanks to the devotion, care and ingenuity of his beloved wife Diana (Foy), Robin survives via the help of a mobile ventilator and goes on to live a marvellous life, while becoming a hope for the disabled.

I must warn you that Breathe is a film that requires tissues, and plenty of them because the tears certainly do flow. While true-life stories are normally films that evoke very strong feelings from their audiences, Breathe does this even more so in a cruel twist of fate that is suffered by Garfield’s fun-loving adventurer Robin. But while everyone gives up on him, including himself, it’s the will and belief of his wife Diana, played here in tremendous form by Claire Foy, that will not let him fall into a life of despair.

While at one point in his career Garfield was being pushed towards the Hollywood limelight, he has steadfastly held to his position as a capable actor, rather than that of another Hollywood pretty boy. As a performer, he has always held a great maturity and commanding performance, and this is readily seen here in Breathe. The circumstances visited upon Robin Cavendish require an actor who can completely disappear into a role, and this can certainly be seen in Garfield, who relies upon nothing more than his limited facial expressions to bring to life this phenomenal man’s life.

But while Garfield might be the centre of the film, in my opinion, it’s Foy who is really the scene stealer. Her emotions and physical movements are not bound like Garfield and she makes the most of all of her vast range of motion and the feelings that result from tragedy. But while she does disappear for a moment, Foy’s Diana is ultimately a take charge kind of a lass, and will not stand meekly by and leave her husband to be combined to a hospital bed for the rest of his life. Foy’s performance is one of endearing love and her eyes never wander from her beloved Robin. Via each other, the couple manages to live an extraordinary life together and become a symbol of hope for Britain’s disabled population.

But while Breathe is ultimately the story of love, hope and survival, it’s subject matter does carry some rather terrifying moments. These come in the medical accidents and crises that Robin is frequently plagued by in his life, and acclaimed actor turned director Andy Serkis does not shy away from the hardships that the Cavendish’s battled. As an audience member, I was in no-doubt that Serkis was in complete charge of his film, and was helped in part by the presence of Jonathan Cavendish, the son of Robin and Diana, who was onboard as a producer and who was instrumental in bringing this story to the big screen. Both Serkis and Cavendish have long been working partners, and their respective talents behind-the-camera make for a very moving story.

If you’re looking to experience the power of love and devotion then you’ll find it with Breathe….and remember to bring tissues, because you’re bound to shed a tear or two.

Image: Transmission Films

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