We Live In Time

2024 A24

Rated: R

Length: 1 hr 48min

Drama ~ Romance

Starring: Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh.

Every Minute Counts

Andrew Garfield stars as Tobias Durand, a sales representative for The Weetabix Breakfast Cereal Company. He is going through a divorce and has received the divorce papers. In a hotel, after just getting out of the shower, he sits down in his robe and decides to sign the papers. The pen quits writing part way through his signature. Frustrated he grabs another and it doesn’t work, then another. Tobias completely loses it, throws the pen and leaves the hotel in his robe heading for the corner store down the street. He purchases a pen and heads back to the hotel walking on the side of the street when…….

Almut Brühl (Florence Pugh) happens by in her car, just as Tobias steps into the street, and hits him. Tobias passes out in the street and comes to later in the hospital with a neck brace and some pretty good facial bruises. He looks over and sees Almut who explains who she is and what happened. She apologizes and offers to buy him and his wife dinner at the restaurant where she is the Chef. He agrees and, not wanting to talk about his going through a divorce, the next evening he shows up alone. When Almut finally comes out of the kitchen, she asks Tobias about his wife and he explains that they are going through a divorce. In the very short time they have met each other, they both have feelings for each other and Almut invites him to go home with her.

And that is the start of their decade long romance and the beginning of a life together. And as with any couple they experience love, laughter, joy and heartbreak. They must also contend with some serious medical news about Almut, which they must make major life changing decisions about. They decide to enjoy every minute of every day, no matter what. As we all should. Throughout all of it they share their commitment and deep love for each other as they navigate the changes that life always seems to throw at you. Throughout the movie there are flashbacks going back to certain moments in their history together that reflect on their current circumstances. And you can see how one thing led to another. It is a little hard to keep up with, trying to figure out when they are flashing back to. But in the end it all makes sense.

I am being a little vague about the details because I don’t want to spoil it. I think Andrew and Florence did a fantastic job together with this movie. I honestly don’t think anybody else could have pulled this movie and story off the way they did. They were meant to play Tobias and Almut, their chemistry together carried this movie. I liked it, I really enjoyed Florence and Andrew together as Almut and Tobias. It isn’t a Hallmark Movie with a happy ending, you know, everybody smiling and riding off into the sunset, but I thought it was a real good Romantic Drama. That’s two thumbs up for Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield and We Live In Time.

Broke

2025 Sony Pictures

Rated: R

Length: 1 hr 43min

Drama ~ Romance ~ Western

Directed by: Carlyle Eubank

Starring: Wyatt Russell, Dennis Quaid, Auden Thornton, Mary McDonnell, Johnny Berchtold, and Tom Skerritt.

Eight seconds of glory, one lifetime to get back up.

Wyatt Russell stars as True Brandywine, a Bareback Bronc Rider clinging to a fading Rodeo career. Age and injuries are catching up to him before he can achieve the level of success he is striving for. In between travelling the rodeo circuit he lives with his Father George Brandywine (Dennis Quaid), his Mother Kathy Brandywine (Mary McDonnell), and his younger brother Caleb (Johnny Berchtold). They live on a farm in Montana and True works alongside his father and brother on the family farm when he is home. True’s father George used to be a Bareback Bronc Rider when he was younger and is trying to convince True that he needs to think about his future and join the Marines, telling him he can’t make a lifelong career out of the rodeo. But that is all True knows and wants to do with his life. There is a lot of tension between True and his father over his persistence that True give up the rodeo life. One of the things that George nags True about is the alternator in his truck, telling him constantly that if he doesn’t fix it he is going to end up stranded somewhere.

Out on the road in between Rodeo gigs, True stops at a Napa Auto Parts store in a small town and attempts to fix the alternator in the parking lot. It is still hot from the road and True accidently leans his forearm on the hot Radiator cap and gets branded with the circle of the cap and the word “Hot”. Ali (Auden Thornton) is a young Nurse living in town and just happens by and sees True is in distress. She asks True if he is alright and he says “Yes, I’m fine.” Then she tells him that she is a nurse and can help if he would like. He agrees and she attends to the burn going across the street to the pharmacy, for burn ointment and bandages, and patches him up. He asks if he can repay her with a drink and she tells him that she is on her way to meet friends for a drink and invites him along. They end up getting close and become romantically involved. Ali notices True’s drawing talent and tells him that he could make money with his art. True dismisses it as just a hobby as his father doesn’t think much of his artwork.

True has a bad fall after a Bronc Ride and suffers serious brain damage and is advised by the Doctor that he will never ride again. He becomes addicted to pain pills and that, coupled with not being able to ride and his father’s constant nagging to “do something with his life” bring a lot of tension in between True and Ali. True eventually snaps and, not wanting to do anything but Ride Broncs in the Rodeo circuit, packs up his gear in the truck with his horse and tells Ali that he needs to go without her back to the Rodeo circuit. It is not going good for True out on the circuit as he is broke and addicted to pain killers. He pulls into a remote ranch looking for work to help him along his way and meets Cliff (Tom Skerritt), the owner of the ranch who lives alone. Cliif tells him he could use some help on the ranch for a little while and takes True in. The next day True heads out on the remote southern pasture of the farm looking for a stray calf. He finds him and ropes him in but has a seizure, collapses and passes out. When he comes to he is covered in snow and suffering frostbite on one foot.

And that’s where the movie starts, with True lost in a snowy wilderness, trying to survive a freak spring blizzard, with flashbacks revealing the events leading up to his precarious situation. True’s identity and passion are deeply tied to rodeo riding, but injuries and family pressures complicate his path, forcing him to confront harsh realities. True is forced to rely on his resilience and confront his life choices amidst a fight for survival in the freak blizzard. The experience prompts a profound personal reckoning about what truly matters beyond his rodeo ambitions. True is a man caught between his love for the adrenaline-filled rodeo life and the dangerous physical toll it has taken on his body. His strained relationship with his father, who insists on a military path for him and his brother, adds to the tension. Despite his talent for drawing, True dismisses art as a viable escape, clinging instead to the diminishing hope of returning to the rodeo. As True battle injuries, illness, and the bitter cold, he is also forced to face his choices and the circumstances that led him to his tenuous situation.

Filmed in Anaconda, Deer Lodge, Butte, Drummond & Three Forks Montana it features some beautiful scenery. I noticed that Wyatt Russell and Vince Vaughan co-produced the movie. I think that even though it is classified as a Contemporary Western (meaning it is set in current times and not the 1800’s) it could be classified as a Romance. The relationship between True and Ali is pretty central to the story and figures pretty prominently in True’s thinking as he battles for survival and reflects on his past. Wyatt Russell I am not familiar with so I did a little research on him. He is the son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. I really liked him in this and will look out for him in future movies. He did star in Thunderbolts which I have not seen yet, so I’ll add that to the list. Dennis Quaid was good as always, nice to see him again, as well as Tom Skerritt who is 91 years old by the way and still working! Go Tom! Auden Thornton is also new to me, she has been acting in a lot of TV series and a couple of movies I have not seen. I really liked her in this as Ali, she might be one of my new favorites.

I loved this movie….I loved the story, the characters, the scenery, the drama between True and his father, the romance and chemistry between True and Ali, True’s battle to find himself amidst all the things life does to shake your tree. It is a contemporary Western in that it is a modern day Cowboy in the rodeo business, but the story, the relationship themes and the search and struggle of self are universal themes that could apply to any story and backdrop. Yes, this is a good one…….

Do yourself a favor, turn off the lights and the devices……

Make some popcorn

Grab a beverage

and Stream This Movie

On Netflix!

The Map That Leads To You

2025 Amazon MGM Studios

Rated: PG-13

Length: 1 hr 36min

Drama ~ Romance

Directed by: Lasse Hallström

Starring: Madelyn Cline, Josh Lucas, KJ Apa, Sofia Wylie and Madison Thompson.

Love is A Journey Worth Taking

THE BOOK:

The Map That Leads To You: A Novel By J. P. Monninger – August 5, 2025

Two strangers take the road less traveled…

Heather Mulgrew’s world is already mapped out: she is going to travel abroad with her friends after college, come back to a great career in September, and head into a life where not much is left to chance. But that was before an encounter on an overnight train introduces her to Jack, a passionate adventurer who changes the course of her journey and her life.

Throwing Heather’s careful itinerary to the wind, they follow Jack’s grandfather’s journal through post-World War II era Europe: Vienna, Budapest, Turkey―exotic places that serve only to heighten their feelings. As September looms, Jack urges Heather to stay with him, to keep traveling, to give in to the romance of their experience; Heather convinces him to return to the United States.
Jack has a secret that could change everything. And Heather’s world is about to be shaken to the core.

FROM AMAZON MGM STUDIOS:

The Map That Leads to You follows Heather (Cline), a young woman setting off on an adventure across Europe with her best friends before settling into her perfectly planned life. When she crosses paths with Jack (Apa), a magnetic and mysterious stranger, their instant spark ignites an emotional journey neither of them expected. As their connection deepens, secrets, life choices, and hidden truths will test their bond—and change her life in ways she never imagined. From director Lasse Hallström (Dear John, Safe Haven) comes this adaptation of JP Monninger’s novel about love, destiny, and the courage to choose your own path.

From the start there’s no doubt Heather likes her ducks neatly in a row. Smart, curious and independent, she is the planner – the one who reads the guidebooks, coordinates the train schedules, makes the reservations and always prepares a cushion for anything that might go astray. Case in point: Heather organized this trip to hit all the major checkpoints and, more importantly, to conclude a requisite two weeks before moving into an apartment in New York City and starting her new job at a prestigious bank. That may be why her friends, though they tease about her meticulous nature, have long accepted it as part of Heather’s personality and what they love about her. Besides, without her on this trip they’d probably end up sleeping in the park and they know it. Amy, for one, has a tough time keeping track of her own passport.

Jack is more of a wild card, whose philosophy on the road is, “We’ll figure it out.” Confident and resourceful, he may have a goal in mind but the details of how he gets from point A to point B can remain vague until the moment they become necessary and he’s not averse to bending the rules. As Apa explains, “Jack is a traveler. He is smart, spontaneous and looking for adventure. He is always looking for the story behind the story. He cares for people and understands the fragility of life, which is why he prefers to experience life up close and in the moment, not on his phone or on social media.”

Heather and Jack’s contrast is instantly and comically apparent as they exit the train: she’s herding luggage and he’s hands-free, only a well-worn backpack on his shoulders. Despite his sunny nature and playful nature, however, Jack also strikes a subtle note of intrigue and may be harboring a secret he’s not ready – if ever – to share.

It is soon revealed that Jack is retracing an itinerary from a journal passed down to him from his great-grandfather, Russell, a veteran of the Second World War. After nearly losing his life on the battlefield, Russell set off on a post-war tour of personal discovery, visiting points of interest throughout the continent and describing them in this book. These are the places that Jack now wants to see for himself. At first, Jack’s trip appears to be a way of honoring Russell’s life, but as the young man continues to follow in his great-grandfather’s footsteps it becomes something deeper. Russell embarked on his journey after resolving not to waste another minute of his precious life. For Jack, that commitment becomes clearer and more meaningful with every step. And it’s something he strives to share with this extraordinary new woman in his life.

THE REVIEW:

I have not read the book so I can’t draw comparisons there, I will have to judge the movie on it’s own merits. In the beginning it felt a little generic, like a formula Hallmark movie. To be honest I was losing interest quick but the chemistry between the three girlfriends early on started to draw me in. They are definitely a close knit bunch of friends who share everything. As the movie meandered around Europe it still felt pretty generic to me, I wasn’t really getting drawn into the characters emotionally. I really didn’t think much of KJ Apa, again his performance didn’t feel that deep emotionally. Madelyn Cline I though did alright with her role but I feel like it was less than, kind of like a generic Hallmark movie.

I honestly liked Madison Thompson the best out of three girls on the trip. I felt like her character felt the most real to me, although I liked Sofia Wylie as well. Of the Romance movies I have seen and reviewed lately: My Oxford Year, The Life List and The Idea Of You I would have to say that this movie doesn’t compare, again it feels more like a generic Hallmark Movie that you just don’t get that heavily emotionally involved in. Maybe it has more to do with direction than the acting. I just looked back at what I wrote and I have typed “Generic Hallmark Movie” three times.

I think that really sums it up for me, not that good, it was just ok.

Would I watch it again, absolutely not. Would I recommend it, absolutely not.

There are better Romance Movies out there.

My Oxford Year

2025 Netflix

Rated: PG-13

Length: 1 hr 52min

Comedy ~ Drama ~ Romance

Directed by: Iain Morris

Starring: Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest.

One Year Can Change Everything

The Book:

My Oxford Year: A Novel By Julia Whelan – April 24, 2018

Synopsis:

American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.

When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating finding and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret.

Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.

The Movie:

A few things I want to mention first about the movie, the book and why I chose to watch it. I have not read the book and just like The Life List, I didn’t know it was based on a book until I did research for the review. I do question a few things that are different from the book, like Anna is Ella in the book and an American, and she is of Hispanic descent in the movie……Anna De La Vega. She is also slated to become involved in politics in the book, yet in the movie she is going to become an analyst for Goldman Sachs. They also changed the end of the movie to be different from the book, although I won’t tell you how so as not to spoil it. I don’t understand why Hollywood feels the need to change things around, so I did a little digging.

Sofia Carson wanted to change Ella’s name and ancestry to reflect her Hispanic heritage. Ok, I like Sofia Carson, loved her in The Life List but why do we feel the need to change the story based on the actress, why not get an actress to portray the character in the book. Nothing against Sofia, I liked her in this, I just don’t get why if we’re bringing a book to life that we don’t just follow the book and bring it to life like it is written. Ok, I’ll move on……….I’m sure you get the point. Anyway they changed the ending because they felt that that the book ending wasn’t powerful enough emotionally as it came about on the screen. They actually tried several different endings with different test audiences and picked the one that seemed to resonate the most with the audience.

I wanted to watch this because it is a new Netflix Film and Sofia Carson was really good in The Life List, so I had to give it a go. Obviously the expectations were high because I feel like The Life List is such a good movie. I was not disappointed, My Oxford Year is exactly what you think it is, a Love Story, a Romantic Comedy and yet a serious look at life and how life can throw all your best laid plans right out the window in the blink of an eye. It’s about living every moment of every day as if it were your last no matter what life throws at you. Anna was forced to make some very serious decisions about the course of her life that was nowhere near her well laid plans. And we watched her grow because of the choices she made.

I thought it was good, I thought Sofia again did a great job with her character. I also really liked Corey Mylchreest as Jamie Davenport, I thought he did a really great job. Poppy Gilbert as Cecelia did a great job as well, I really liked her. It was sad but yet just like life it was heartwarming as well. We all do the best we can do with what we are given to work with, they don’t give us a manual. I think My Oxford Year did a great job of portraying that side of life and how we have to adjust, deal and move forward no matter what. It is a good Romantic Comedy with a bittersweet slice of reality. Sofia as Anna chose to take the lemons and make lemonade, make some memories she would remember, and would change her life forever. Live life to the fullest. Give it a go.

The Life List

The Gorge

2025 Apple TV+

Rated: PG-13

Length: 2 hr 7min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Horror ~ Romance ~ Sci-Fi

Directed by: Scott Derrickson

Starring: Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sigourney Weaver.

They’re Not Keeping You Out, They’re Keeping Them In.

Two elite snipers, Levi (Miles Teller) and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), are deployed by rival powers to isolated guard towers on opposite rims of a secretive, heavily-fortified gorge. Their assignment is cryptic: defend the gorge for a full year, forbidden from communicating with each other or the outside world. Both come with heavy personal burdens, Levi battles PTSD, while Drasa is haunted by her father’s death, yet they quickly realize their mission offers few answers and even fewer reassurances about what they are actually protecting.

Despite strict protocols, the prolonged solitude and relentless vigilance foster a connection between the two adversaries. Through clever, silent exchanges and eventually bold gestures—such as a zipline crossing for an in-person dinner—their relationship grows from wary rivalry to deep affection, sustained across the chasm that separates them. This budding romance is interwoven with moments of tension and shared danger, as they fend off unidentified threats emerging from the depths and slowly begin to peel back the layers of secrecy around their mission.

Events escalate dramatically when a failed return trip leaves Levi stranded in the gorge, prompting Drasa to launch a desperate rescue. Forced to descend into the unknown, they face hostile and bewildering challenges, all while realizing that the nature of their assignment and the true interests behind it are far more sinister than either had imagined. Their struggle to survive and uncover the truth tests, not only their combat skills, but the trust and bond they have forged in the shadow of the gorge.

I went into this one without knowing anything about it, didn’t even see the trailer. Which is exactly how I think you should watch it, the less you know the better the experience I believe. Well I did know that Anna Taylor-Joy was in it, probably the deciding factor in watching it. I am a fan, there is something about Anna that is very captivating. I first saw Anna in Split and Glass, but it was her performance in The Northman and The Menu that really got my attention. And I have to say that she does not disappoint in this one, in fact I’d have to say she absolutely killed in this role.

Miles Teller I am not that familiar with, I did some research and have seen him in The Divergent movies with Jennifer Lawrence but I don’t really remember him, just his face looked familiar. I did see him in Only The Brave, I love that movie…..great true story and a well done movie with Josh Brolin. I liked him in this one and thought he did a great job. The chemistry between Miles and Anna was infectious, it felt real. I thought it was a good story, a great Romance, and a captivating Sci-Fi adventure full of Horror and action. It was good to see Sigourney Weaver again doing what she does best as well.

I liked it, I will watch it again and I highly recommend it.