We Live in (Constellations) Time

It was only 20 minutes in when I asked myself the question, ‘Did this guy rip off the play ‘Constellations’?

Reader. The guy literally wrote ‘Constellations’.

We Live in Time seems like a pretty typical take on a love story, with tragedy and ups and downs. The time bendiness reminded me of one of my favourite plays, which turns out is on purpose, because the same man wrote this film too.

I was ready to leave this film and tell you it wasn’t making a point — that it was treading familiar ground and hollywood-ifying a very typical normal life and beautifying it into something that would provide consolation to no one.

The second act swings a soft left, and soon you realise that, though the premise and conclusion isn’t original, the beautifying finds its purpose. Nothing in the film surprised me, but it didn’t leave a dry eye.

The performances are as good as the dialogue, and the dialogue feels very modern play-esque, which didn’t take away from it, but was noticeably stylised, even though it was trying not to be.

It is also a VERY British film — trigger warning for a bunch of British food brands and inside jokes. The Jess Glynne joke went over every head except mine.

It’s a heavy but uplifting watch. I softly recommend it.