Andrew Garfield Says John Crowley’s We Live In Time Helped Him During A ‘Mid-Life Crisis’

John Crowley’s romantic comedy-drama *We Live in Time*, featuring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, is set to wrap up the official selection at the 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival. The film will be screened out of competition on September 28.

At a recent press conference for the festival, Garfield opened up about how working on this film helped him cope with his own mid-life crisis, prompting deep reflections on life and death. He shared his excitement about the project and what drew him to portray his character, Tobias.

Garfield explained that when he first received the script, he was in a contemplative mindset, thinking deeply about life’s meanings. He stated, “When I read [the script], I was in deep contemplation of the meaning of life. As always, but maybe more pronounced in that moment.” As he approached his 39th birthday, he found himself grappling with themes of “life, death, love, meaning, and time.” He described feeling a kind of mid-life crisis, where he was reflecting on his past, present, and future, ultimately asking himself, “What now?” He felt the script resonated with his thoughts, saying it was as if he had written it himself during this introspective period.

Garfield noted that a specific scene involving “an ambulance, a traffic jam, and a dirty gas station bathroom” made him eager to join the project. He likened that scene to an action sequence from an *Indiana Jones* film, describing it as a pivotal moment in the story.

*We Live in Time* tells the story of Almut (Pugh) and Tobias (Garfield), who cross paths by chance, altering the course of their lives. As their relationship unfolds, they navigate the ups and downs of falling in love, building a home, and starting a family, only to confront a challenging truth that tests their bond.

Garfield expressed admiration for the way his character Tobias and Almut embody an enduring desire to live, even amidst significant heartbreak and loss. He reflected, “And how we, as human beings, find that strength, that want, that little flame of longing to live over and over and over again.” He acknowledged that many audience members might relate to these struggles, facing death yet choosing to embrace life, which he finds truly inspiring.