Eternity

Where would you spend your eternity?

The new film Eternity by David Freyne offers a moment to reflect on where we would choose to stay if we had the opportunity — and whether we’d dare to take a second chance, knowing it would last forever.

The story follows a couple, Larry and Joan, who die within a week of each other. In this stunning, fictional, utopian world, all the deceased end up in a kind of "junction" where, over the course of a week, they must choose their eternity. Meaning: an ideal, utopian place where they will spend the rest of their so-called afterlife. The problem arises when Joan dies and is met not only by her husband Larry, but also by Luke — her first husband, who died very young in the Korean War. Joanne now has to understand which eternity she wants to spend, and with whom.

Even from this general and short description, everything you might imagine this film to be — that is exactly what you will see, because no surprises arise. It’s a fairytale-like, very colorful story about love and romance, with a bit of tears and melodrama, with a comedic component that makes it very easy to watch. Thankfully, the film doesn’t feel like an eternity. The intentionally unrealistic environment creates this dreamy feeling, as if you’re watching something gently detached from reality.

The story itself — more specifically, the script — is hard to call outstanding. Every action that happens in this film you can recognize about twenty minutes before it occurs, including the choice the main character eventually makes. Despite this, the film feels warm. It allows you to think about whom and how we spend our time with, and how we’ll miss that time when it’s gone. A little beam of light at the end of the tunnel about what might come after — a hint that everyone gets their chance to find their own peace.

Speaking of the cast, the first person to highlight is the supporting actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who plays Anna, the afterlife coordinator for Larry. She is fantastic in her comedic mode and becomes the real bright star of the movie. Miles Teller, who plays Larry, looks quite charming in his role. No real complaints about Elizabeth Olsen as Joan. Callum Turner as Luke is simply pleasant to look at. The film overall is visually appealing, and its reflections on the afterlife, while slightly flat, are probably worthy of being shown on screen. The way the story unfolds feels steady and unsurprising.

Despite that, it’s a good reason to go to the cinema and have a nice evening.

6.5/10