Eternity
Rating: 5/5
Screened at Austin Film Festival
By: Nathaniel Simpson
What happens to us when we die? The common consensus is that there is a Heaven and a Hell, and we will be judged when we die. But, what if there was a world where we got to choose our own eternity, one that we get to spend forever in that is practically paradise? It sounds amazing, right? But, for Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), it is forcing her to pick between her current husband, Larry (Miles Teller), and her first husband who died in the war, Luke (Callum Turner). What plays out is a brilliant and moving film that keeps the audience hooked from beginning to end, making them laugh and cry at the same time. Truly, this movie made me feel so many emotions while watching, pulling me in numerous directions throughout the course of this fantastic story from David Freyne and Pat Cunnane.
The film wastes no time really getting into the thick of it. It throws the characters and the audience on this emotional rollercoaster with the story really analyzing what the meaning of true love is and how it stands the test of time. The character of Luke didn't have a chance to live out a life with Joan, so he waited over six decades in The Junction for her to arrive and spend an eternity with her. At the same time, Larry did live out this life with Joan, with them being familiar with all of their different quirks and mannerisms. It makes the audience really question who they want Olsen's character to end up with. I won't spoil it here, but I was rooting for one of the men in particular throughout the film, but the brilliant storytelling and character development from Freyne and Cunnane really made me question my allegiance to that character from beginning to end. Would the other man be a better match for our protagonist for her eternity?
The entire film is incredibly witty, smart, and emotionally mature, making the audience have such a fun time with it while also making them cry their eyes out. There are moments here that will really pull at your heartstrings, and I find that these characters are beautifully fleshed out in both the screenplay and the performances that bring them to life. The story makes the viewer question what true love really is, and how you would define it. Is it the beautiful bliss of young love taken too soon, or the long and comfortable romance that lasts a lifetime? These beautiful moments throughout the movie that showcase such true love really warms the heart, while the moments of letting the love of your life go really add such a complex layer of heartbreak and acceptance. In addition, there are moments here that may possibly be some of the funniest moments in cinema this year, mostly thanks to the characters of Anna (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) and Ryan (John Early). This picture here makes it obvious that Freyne and Cunnane know how to tell such a damn good story, and they were able to find the perfect cast ensemble.
The setting for this story really plays such a major character throughout this entire picture. The Junction serves as this sort of Limbo between Earth and the afterlife, and it really influences the choices the characters make and how it dictates their relationships. This is such a unique story and setting, one we really haven't seen before, and it does such a good job of presenting this dilemma that Joan faces. Sure, we have seen many movies where the girl has to pick between the two good-looking men, but we haven't seen a story where she has to pick who to spend her eternity with. It works so well, and this is truly what drew me to the film in the first place. Therefore, I applaud the filmmakers for crafting this unique take on a classic trope, and it adds such a deeper emotional layer to the story and characters as a whole.
The main trio here not only deliver such wonderful performances in their own rights, but they also have such fantastic chemistry with one another. An aspect I genuinely loved so much from these performances is how Teller and Olsen are simply playing elderly people in younger bodies. Their performance is so nuanced and complex at the same time, with them fleshing-out these characters on screen in such a seemingly-effortless way that makes it seem like they lived full lives and were married for over 60 years. Olsen and Teller are magnetic together, and they are able to capture such magic on the screen. It's beautiful and inspiring to watch, and I couldn't imagine a better acting duo to play these roles. At the same time, when Turner is thrown into the mix, he gives such a charismatic charm to the character of Luke, really making him burst off the screen. He is also wonderful with Olsen and Teller, and I simply enjoyed the bickering back-and-forth between the two men. I also do want to mention the wonderful performances from Randolph and Early as I think they really add such a comedic and heartwarming layer to the film; they practically act as the audience watching this story unfold.
As the film concluded, there was not a dry eye in the theater. I was wiping my eyes as the credits rolled, and I think we all knew we had witnessed something truly amazing and important. Eternity is a film that needs to be seen, and I think this movie will go on to become a favorite for lots of people. It has everything it needs to work on every level, and it is such a wonderful story that will make you appreciate the way the filmmakers went with the characters and the story as the movie concludes. Not only is this easily in my top 10 of the year, but I think it is truly one of my all-time favorite A24 films, if not my favorite. Freyne and Cunnane craft an instant modern-classic, one that will win over the hearts of everyone who sees it.
Comments
Post a Comment