At a recent premiere for We Live In Time, Andrew Garfield took a unique approach in the absence of his co-star, Florence Pugh.
With Pugh currently filming another project, Garfield brought along a cardboard cut-out of her to the event, adding a humorous touch to the evening.
We Live In Time features Pugh as a young chef diagnosed with cancer, while Garfield portrays her partner and the father of their three-year-old daughter.
The film, shot last spring, was the reason for Pugh’s shaved head at the 2023 Met Gala, a look that garnered significant media attention.
Despite the film’s heavy themes, it has been described as “life-affirming” by some critics, although others have labeled it “positively twee.”
The chemistry between Garfield and Pugh has been widely praised, along with the engaging subplots, including Pugh’s character’s participation in an international chef championship.
However, the film has received mixed reviews since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last month.
David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter commended director Crowley for his “tender yet truthful touch,” stating, “Seldom has such an unflinchingly honest take on mortality felt so transcendently life-affirming.”
In contrast, Kirsty Puchko from Mashable called it “the biggest cinema disappointment of the year,” criticizing the film’s lack of emotional depth despite its star-studded cast.
Brianna Zigler from the AV Club echoed this sentiment, claiming the characters were “so easy and sanitized” that they became “borderline unbearable to watch.”
On a more positive note, Sara Michelle Fetters of MovieFreak highlighted Garfield and Pugh’s “stirringly excellent” performances, stating they made the film impactful despite its flaws.
The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee awarded it four stars, praising the actors’ ability to balance humor and drama effectively.
One particularly emotional scene depicts Tobias (Garfield) and their daughter shaving Almut’s (Pugh) head, a moment that carries real significance given Pugh’s own experience.
“It is completely important that you see her head and we see her shaving it – it was just always a no-brainer,” Pugh remarked to British Vogue.
Garfield humorously admitted to feeling nervous about the scene, joking about the pressure of shaving the head of “one of the best actors of her generation.”
Pugh expressed that her character’s journey inspired her to embrace life fully.
“I was going through a lot of weird stuff with relationships last year, and I think part of the story is to not be passive, not to let things wash over you. I want to go and find love and I want to have babies,” the 28-year-old actress shared.
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