“We Live in Time.”

What an unusual, awkward and obvious title for a movie.

Wait. It’s actually quite brilliant.

We do live in time. We live within time. We are defined by time. We live in the confines of time. From the cradle to the grave. Time is a blessing and a curse. Time is of the essence.

The great poets, philosophers and writers have written about the nature of time, its meaning and its effect, from The Bible’s Ecclesiastes (“Everything is meaningless.” How’s that for a nice howdy-do?) and Proverbs, to the plays of William Shakespeare to contemporary songwriters, including Joni Mitchell, “Circle Game”; Steve Miller, “Fly Like an Eagle,” and James Taylor, “Secret O’ Life.”

In the miniaturist masterpiece, “We Live in Time,” Tobias Durand (Andrew Garfield) works for Weetabix (Yes, there is such a breakfast cereal in the United Kingdom.). Almut Brüh (Florence Pugh) is a chef and restaurant owner. They meet quite by accident.

The conventional story is told unconventionally. The plot won’t be dispensed here like Pez. The plot is basic. It’s weepy. The story is told as nonlinear narrative fiction to make it more interesting.

With this film, you had me at Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. For one thing, their British accents are delightful.

Some actors are like that. You will see them in anything. Garfield and Pugh are like that for me. Each is adorable, almost cartoon-like and uber-cuddly, one would imagine.

Pugh, with her big eyes and bigger eyebrows, has a pretty face that goes from smiles like sunlight to consternation like storms in a nanosecond.

Garfield, with his tallish head, made taller by a great mop of hair, and a handsome face ever-mobile, is affable and self-effacing.

Each is remarkable in “We Live in Time.”

Garfield (Oscar nominee, actor, “tick, tick, BOOM!,” 2022; actor, “Hacksaw Ridge,” 2017; “Spider-Man” (as Peter Parker); “Boy A,” 2007) plays an ever-accommodating nice guy. He’s courteous, understanding and dedicated. He’s the ideal boyfriend.

Pugh (Oscar nominee, supporting actress, “Little Women,” 2020; “Black Widow,” 2021; “Dune: Part Two,” 2024) plays an assertive, no-nonsense independent woman.

Look for an Oscar actress nomination for Pugh.

Director John Crowley (reuniting with Garfield as director, “Boy A,” 2007, and director of “The Goldfinch, 2019; “Brooklyn,” 2015; “Intermission, 2003) lets the camera linger on the two lead actors in the cinematography by Director of Photography Stuart Bentley (“Surge,” 2020).

The screenplay by Nick Payne (“The Last Letter from Your Lover,” 2021) has a nice mix of believable dialogue, humorous bits and charming moments of self-reflection by the two leads.

The music by Bryce Dessner (“The Revenant,” 2015) supports and heightens the emotional interplay of the leads.

”We Live in Time” brings the excitement and intensity of a new romance to the screen. The lead characters, their careers and lifestyles are aspirational. The fun, the ecstasy, the passion is written, directed and acted convincingly.

There’s a serious side to all the shenanigans.

It’s the “C Word”: Commitment.

In the movie, through the years, we go back and forth with Tobias and Almut, eavesdropping on their ups and downs, celebrating the couple’s triumphs and sympathizing with their tragedies.

See “We Live in Time” with your partner, your significant other, your friend. And then you may understand and appreciate the film’s title.

Seeing “We Live in Time” is time well-spent.

“We Live in Time,” MPAA rated R (Restricted: Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.) for language, sexuality and nudity; Genre: Romance, Drama; Run time: 1 hour, 48 minutes. Distributed by A24.

Credit Readers Anonymous: Nick Payne is said to have developed the screenplay for “We Live in Time” with StudioCanal. Executive producer is Benedict Cumberbatch. “We Live in Time” was filmed in Herne Hill in the London area and England’s Surrey County.

At The Movies: “We Live in Time” was seen in the standard format at AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office, Nov. 8-10: “Venom: The Last Dance” made it a three-peat, No. 1 three weeks in a row with $16.2 million in 3,905 theaters, $114.8 million, three weeks, keeping “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a family-friendly comedy, opening at No. 2 with $11.1 million in 3,020 theaters, and “Heretic,” starring Hugh Grant as a bad guy, opening at No. 3 with $11 million in 3,221 theaters.

4. “The Wild Robot” dropped two places, $6.6 million in 3,051 theaters, $130.8 million, seven weeks. 5. “Smile 2” dropped two places, $5 million in 2,822 theaters, $60.5 million, four weeks. 6 “Conclave” dropped two places, $4.1 million in 2,283 theaters, $21.5 million, three weeks. 7. “Anora” moved up four places, $2.4 million in 1,104 theaters, $7.2 million, four weeks. 8. “Here” dropped three places, $2.4 million in 2,732 theaters, $9.5 million, two weeks. 9. “We Live In Time” dropped three places, $2.2 million in 1,865 theaters, $21.8 million, five weeks. 10. “Terrifier 3” dropped three places, $1.4 million in 1,563 theaters, $53.3 million, five weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Nov. 10 is subject to change.

Unreel, Nov. 15:

“Red One,” PG-13: Jake Kasdan directs Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu and J.K. Simmons in the Action Fantasy Comedy. When Santa Claus is kidnapped, a team unites to rescue him.

“Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes,” No MPAA rating: Kathryn Ferguson directs the documentary film about Humphrey Bogart, iconic actor and star of “Casablanca,” “Maltese Falcon” and “The Big Sleep” of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Unreel, Nov. 22:

“Saint Nick of Bethlehem,” No MPAA rating: Spencer Folmar and Bethlehem native Daniel Roebuck direct Cathy Moriarty, Daniel Roebuck, Duane Whitaker, Elias Kemuel, Stello Savante, Bradford Haynes, Timothy E. Goodwin, Jennifer Porrata, Madelyn Dundon, Kathy Patterson and Rod Gilkeson in the Family Drama Romance. A man who loses his son finds solace playing Santa Claus. The film was lensed in Bethlehem.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of Nov. 10 is subject to change.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes