Streaming: We Live in Time and the best Florence Pugh films
Industry pundits are fond of telling us that the movie star is a dying concept: that blockbusters are now sold on characters and intellectual property rather than actors, to the point that even a colossus such as Tom Cruise has lately limited himself only to franchise work. That may be true, though my own definition of a movie star is looser, less money-minded and very much alive: someone, put simply, who holds your attention in pretty much anything.
Florence Pugh is one. Her most recent film, We Live in Time – currently on VOD and hitting DVD shelves on 24 March – is more or less a monument to her star quality, and that of her leading man, Andrew Garfield. Without their combined charisma and unforced chemistry, this time-hopping romantic drama wouldn't amount to an awful lot. Playwright Nick Payne's script essentially uses the same building blocks that made Love Story a smash 55 years ago: two young, beautiful people meet, fall in love and plan the rest of their lives together – only for cancer to suddenly decree that they haven't long left.
Payne and director John Crowley twist their reliable tearjerker formula by scrambling its chronology, showing us the couple's first fight before their first kiss, and their meet-cute some time after the end is signalled. It's a cosmetic rejig, since we're never in doubt as to the overall shape of the story, and it sometimes stalls the emotional momentum of proceedings – but Pugh is so compellingly radiant as the dying woman, spiny and resistant and actively angry in the face of her fate that we feel along with her.
It's a little over a decade since I interviewed Pugh, then just 18, for the Observer's 'Rising stars of 2015' feature, which remains one of the better professional calls I've made. Back then, it was based on a single screen appearance: her eye-catching debut as an ill-fated schoolgirl in Carol Morley's slippery psychological mystery The Falling. An object of obsessive desire for Maisie Williams's protagonist, she exits proceedings early, but her bright, beguiling presence haunts the remainder of the film. That brief promise was more expansively confirmed two years later in Lady Macbeth, William Oldroyd's rigorous, ruthless study of a headstrong 19th-century child bride taking violent revenge on the patriarchy, which rested heavily on its young star's capacity for simultaneous vulnerability and sangfroid, all while brazenly rejecting easy sympathy. It was the role that really turned Hollywood on to her talents: few star-is-born vehicles have been quite so uncompromising.
What followed were some standard stepping stones for an ingenue on the rise – lively but disposable supporting part in the Liam Neeson action film The Commuter and David Mackenzie's epic Outlaw King (Netflix); creditably headlining the entertaining-enough horror flick Malevolent (Netflix) – along with the less expected prestige assignment of the BBC's chic, Park Chan-wook-directed Le Carré miniseries The Little Drummer Girl (BBC iPlayer), to which Pugh brought a certain intriguing modernity. Also on the Beeb that year, she was a fine Cordelia to Anthony Hopkins's King Lear (BBC iPlayer).
It was 2019 that showed the full breadth of Pugh's gifts. She was warmly rowdy and physically committed as an aspiring wrestler in Stephen Merchant's underrated sports biopic Fighting With My Family, before returning to the intensity with which she made her name in Ari Aster's brilliant folk horror Midsommar. Here, she played an unwilling, trauma-ridden cult recruit with an air of abandoned desperation, gradually lapped by numb resilience. And she got a much-deserved Oscar nomination for the best Amy March yet put on the screen in Greta Gerwig's Little Women, imbuing the youngest sister of Louisa May Alcott's oft-adapted chestnut with an unashamed brattiness, giving way to a more mature, cunning pragmatism.
The Marvel machine came for Pugh next. As Yelena, the arse-kicking adopted sister of Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, she was game in both the film Black Widow and the spin-off series Hawkeye (Disney+), though neither repaid her with much in the way of inspiration. (Perhaps the forthcoming 2 May release Thunderbolts*, elevating Pugh/Yelena to first billing, will serve her better.)
Pugh hasn't let the Marvel Cinematic Universe consume her career, however. Sebastián Lelio's lithe period psychodrama The Wonder (Netflix), in which she plays a doughty nurse investigating a supposed miracle child, is certainly a more generous fit for the flinty curiosity she projects on screen. The same was even true of Olivia Wilde's slick but narratively shambolic thriller Don't Worry Darling, a sort of Stepford Wives update that accidentally amplified Pugh's talents by casting her opposite a floundering Harry Styles. And her unvarnished performance as a guilt-plagued recovering addict in her ex Zach Braff's earnest grief drama A Good Person deepened and sharpened a soft script.
Christopher Nolan's Oscar-guzzling Oppenheimer and Denis Villeneuve's ravishing Dune: Part Two are better films, of course, though ask less of her; Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and the English-language dub of Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron (Netflix) require only Pugh's distinctively throaty voice. I eagerly await her turn in a forthcoming new TV adaptation of Steinbeck's East of Eden – though I'm confident her movie star status isn't going anywhere.
All titles in bold are widely available to stream unless otherwise specified.
All We Imagine As Light
(Amazon Prime)
Payal Kapadia's wistful, sapphire-toned character study of two Mumbai nurses and flatmates, each bearing their own personal frustrations and romantic yearnings, was a high point in cinemas last year.
Rita
(Signature)
Spanish actress Paz Vega makes her directorial debut with this tender but unsentimental child's-eye study of a broken home. It's largely seen from the perspective of its eponymous seven-year-old girl (affectingly played by Sofía Allepuz), looking on as her mother, Mari (Vega), attempts to escape a cycle of abuse.
Kinoteka Polish film festival online
(Klassiki)
As the annual Polish film showcase plays in various UK cinemas until 25 April, a handful of titles are also available on Klassiki, a streaming platform specifically for eastern European cinema. They include two classics by the late Wojciech Jerzy Has – The Hourglass Sanatorium, a head-spinning 1973 adaptation of Bruno Schulz's surrealist short stories, and Farewells, a melancholy study of a love affair severed by the second world war – and something new in Maria Zbąska's It's Not My Film, a wry relationship road movie.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Premier League legend is 'latest star to join Strictly Come Dancing 2025'
Football fans could see a familiar face on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor this year - as former Leeds player Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has reportedly been signed to compete on the BBC show With the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing just weeks away from launching, more stars are being linked to the show - with a premiere league icon the latest to be tipped to star. Former Leeds United star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is said to be swapping soccer for sequins as a contestant on the long-running BBC show. The 53-year-old Dutch sportsman stands to be the latest in a long line of football legends to take to the Strictly dancefloor. He would follow the likes of Robbie Savage, Alex Scott and Tony Adams to bid for Glitterball Trophy victory. The former striker was hired as a coach for the England national team in 2023, but stepped away from responsibilities in August last year following manager Gareth Southgate's exit last August. With time on his hands, it is suggested Jimmy could be among the celebrities taking part in Strictly this year. A source told The Sun: 'Jimmy has a huge fanbase from his years playing in the Premier League and is a very likeable character. Show producers are always keen to book a retired footballer as it gets footie fans tuning into the series and becoming unlikely fans of the show. "Jimmy has a competitive edge and is going to get his head in the game.' The Mirror has contacted representatives of Jimmy and the BBC for comment. Olympian Sir Mo Farah, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - better known as Nitro - and former Big Brother contestant Yinrun Huang are among stars tipped to appear in the upcoming new season. Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are all set to return for the 2025 season - which will be the 23rd in the long history of the show. But after the past two years, bosses are said to be worried about fresh scandal hitting the show. Stirctly has been dragged into disrepute in recent years amid accusations that professional dancers have been physically abusive to their celebrity dance partners. While the celebs have also been accused of offensive behaviour. Earlier this year, it was reported BBC bosses are practically paralyzed by a "terrible, terrible fear" that more scandal will hit the show - and there have been attempts to clean up the image of the series - and this could also impact star signings. It has been suggested the BBC are taking steps to go risk free and leaving no stone unturned to make sure the line-up is as safe as possible for the 2025 season. Blue Peter presenters Joel Mawhinney and Shini Muthukrishnan are said to be under consideration - as is Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla. Georgia Toffolo - the I'm a Celebrity Jungle Queen - is reportedly being lined up, as is Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts. Newly married former Love Island star Dani Dyer is being considered, it has been reported, with former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan another name high up on bosses' list. "There is a terrible, terrible fear among those high up that these awful things are going to keep happening and the show will be brought into disrepute again and again," one well-place BBC insider has told MailOnline. "With that in mind, they are taking no chances. "There will be stringent checks, and asking around, and digging into potential stars' backgrounds to make sure that they're not choosing anyone who might damage the show. For years, there was the whole Strictly 'curse' where the contestants and professionals kept having affairs. But that stopped. "Changes were made to the partnerships and it worked. There have been other issues in the past couple of years, though. What's been even more embarrassing for the BBC is that Wynne and Jamie have been from their own stable of stars. Going forward, those at the top want a wholesome image to shine through. No more scandal – just joy." The report came after 2024 contestant Jamie Borthwick, who is known for playing Jay Brown in the BBC soap EastEnders, was forced to issue a groveling apology after footage was reportedly uncovered showing him making derogatory comments about the people of Blackpool.
Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Oscar Branning to return to EastEnders after eight years
Oscar Branning, the son of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), will be played by Pierre Moullier. The now 17-year-old Oscar was previously portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall. Moullier's debut comes as on-screen father Max, played by Jake Wood, is also rumoured to return later in 2025. Moullier said: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square. 'When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet. 'Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy.' Producers have kept the reason for his return secret, but say it will be revealed when his older sister, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), receives a mysterious call, with Oscar's return set to 'turn her life upside down'. EastEnders new executive producer Ben Wadey, said: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up. 'Oscar is very much a Branning which means there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer. 'We're delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can't wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.' Oscar last appeared in the show when he visited Max on Father's Day in 2017, before returning to Exeter, where he lived with his mother. The character is expected to return to Albert Square next month, with Moullier already filming scenes for the show. Recommended reading: Jake Wood - EastEnders return Jake Wood will make his return as Max Branning later this year. (Image: BBC) Jake Wood, who plays the role of Max Branning, will reportedly be arriving back on the BBC soap later this year too, as he has 'loads of unfinished business'. The 52-year-old was last seen in Walford in 2021, when he departed the programme after 15 years. Since The Sun announced the news about Jake's return to EastEnders back in May, many fans have took to social media to share their excitement, with some saying his upcoming Watford arrival is 'going to be epic'.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Kneecap Glastonbury performance 'not appropriate', Starmer says
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he does not think Kneecap's planned Glastonbury Festival performance is "appropriate".He made the comments after Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appeared in court charged with a terror offence, relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November last an interview with The Sun, Sir Keir was asked if he thought the trio should perform at Glastonbury, to which he replied: "No, I don't, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this."This is about the threats that shouldn't be made, I won't say too much because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate." Mr Ó hAnnaidh, charged under the name Liam O'Hanna, was released on unconditional bail after Wednesday's hearing at Westminster Magistrates' prime minister's comments came after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC "should not be showing" Kneecap's performance at the festival next said in an X post, which was accompanied by an article from The Times that claimed the BBC had not banned the group: "The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda."One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act."As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism."Responding to the Tory leader's comments, a BBC spokesperson said as the festival's broadcast partner, it "will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers".They added: "Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines."Decisions about our output will be made in the lead-up to the festival." Badenoch has previously called for the group to be banned from Glastonbury, and last year Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK government in Belfast High Court after she tried to refuse them a £14,250 funding award when she was a took aim at Badenoch in their latest single, The Recap, released just before their headline set at London's Wide Awake festival in May, with the song mocking the politician's attempts to block their arts funding and the Conservative Party's election loss. On Wednesday, Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in "Free Mo Chara" 27-year-old will appear at the same court for his next hearing on 20 August. Following the hearing, the rapper said: "For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday."If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September."But most importantly: free, free Palestine."In a statement, posted on social media in May after Mr Ó hAnnaidh was charged, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves." The charge came following a counter-terrorism police investigation after the historical gig footage came to Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for say they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual. Will the PM's words change anything? Analysis from Charlotte Gallagher, BBC News correspondentWill Kneecap care that the Prime Minister doesn't think they should perform at Glastonbury? Probably not. If anything, it will likely increase the trio's profile. They're selling out venues, getting millions of streams and being talked about by people across the world. Calls by politicians and some celebrities to get Kneecap removed from line ups seem to have made them more famous or infamous - depending on your viewpoint. There were hundreds of people outside Westminster Magistrates' Court supporting Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh aka Mo Chara earlier this week. Many felt Kneecap were representing their views while politicians were not listening to them. Mo Chara is back in court in August - expect similar crowds. Who are Kneecap? Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.
