Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh Bring Steamy Sex, Sobs and Wild Birthing Scene to TIFF With ‘We Live in Time’

As a supporter and admirer of the captivating world of cinema, I find myself utterly captivated by the profound performances delivered by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in “We Live in Time”. The raw emotion and depth portrayed in this film is truly a testament to their talents as actors.


Just as a football player bursts from the huddle, Florence Pugh crouched and groaned while portraying an intense moment from “We Live in Time” following its attention-grabbing premiere on Day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival. During a question-and-answer session following the screening with co-star Andrew Garfield and director John Crowley, Pugh shared stories about filming a heart-wrenching scene from the cancer drama where she gives birth in a grimy gas station restroom while Garfield and two strangers looked on.

She said it was astounding, considering they only witnessed seven minutes of it. They performed 15-minute births eight times, which was beyond belief. However, she didn’t actually deliver a baby, leaving her feeling drained, sweaty, and exhausted, without the usual post-delivery endorphins. … She herself has never given birth, which is crucial in understanding childbirth. But I know many incredible women who have delivered numerous babies, and I’ve listened to all their fascinating stories.

Garfield added: “It’s weird that we made that toilet a holy site.”

The A24 movie tells the story of Almut (Pugh) and Tobias (Garfield), a flourishing pair who grapple with her potentially life-threatening cancer diagnosis and an unpredictable outlook. Garfield, having lost his mother to pancreatic cancer in 2019, seemed deeply moved as he responded to a question from the audience about how he prepared for portraying a character whose loved one was battling such a disease.

“It’s one of those scripts where so much was taken care of already. The writing was so precise,” he said. “I don’t know if you know Nick Payne’s work. He wrote an amazing play called ‘Constellations,’ making sure I got that right. … And the way he writes about relationships is just so exquisite and so singular as a playwright and as a screenwriter. So I think there was just a really solid foundation. And in terms of preparation for the particularities, … you kind of don’t want to know what the next take is going to be. And that can only happen if you have a scene partner who you can just pay attention to and tune into and listen to and know that you will end up in the most honest, authentic place with, and that’s Florence.”

Both Garfield and Pugh have been nominated for Oscars, and the film “We Live in Time” could potentially reignite their awards season prospects. The two actors, who share intimate scenes on numerous occasions, were questioned about their on-screen chemistry. Pugh nonchalantly shrugged, which caused amusement among the audience, before expressing her thoughts.

For two delightful weeks, I was fortunate to immerse myself in the art of rehearsing for this film. It’s a rare and precious opportunity to delve into each scene, discussing our emotions and interpretations with my fellow actors.

In a return to TIFF following the screening of “The Goldfinch” in 2019, director Crowley opted for an unconventional narrative style to portray the love story between his characters. This unique approach included their initial encounter – Almut accidentally hitting Tobias with her car during a night drive, resulting in a hospital visit for both parties. During the discussion, Crowley reminisced about his past work with Garfield (the 2007 drama “Boy A”) and expressed how his filmmaking abilities have grown since then.

As a cinema enthusiast, I found myself captivated by his portrayal of a child – both chilling and exquisitely beautiful. And now, here he stands, a man. He’s managed to amass an incredible depth of emotion throughout his journey, and as soon as I read the role, I instantly thought of him. It was a combination of his ability to handle intense emotional landscapes and the hint of humor in the script that made me believe he would bring this character to life in a way that feels real and relatable, not overly quirky or unrealistic.

A24 will launch the limited U.S. cinematic debut of “We Live in Time” on October 11. This film is expected to resonate profoundly with audiences who can relate to the challenging choices people often face when confronted with treatment decisions following a cancer diagnosis. Pugh, who faced challenges during Olivia Wilde’s 2022 drama “Don’t Worry Darling,” praised her collaboration with Crowley and Garfield.

The “Black Widow” actress expressed, “Each scene was a pleasure to play, even the toughest lines and saddest news you could think of. Dancing this dance with everyone involved was incredibly enjoyable.

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2024-09-07 08:46