In the slowly dying genre of romantic comedies, *Eternity* is a welcome surprise. Set in a decked-out purgatory where the deceased decide how to spend their afterlife, the film follows Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) as she grapples with choosing an eternity with her husband Larry (Miles Teller) or her lost love Luke (Callum Turner).
*Eternity* presents an interesting setting and premise, blending romance with contemplations on life after death. However, much of this exploration remains surface-level. At the heart of the film is the love triangle between Joan, Larry, and Luke. While the story attempts to shift the romantic tension into a deeper examination of what it means to spend an eternity with someone, its initial focus on romance leaves this exploration somewhat off balance.
The dynamic between Joan, Larry, and Luke drives much of the film’s comedic moments. Afterlife coordinators Ryan (John Early) and Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) serve as delightful commentators amidst the ensuing chaos. The many tussles between Larry and Luke provide hilarious exchanges, with Teller and Turner’s on-screen chemistry elevating their banter’s impact.
The individual connections Joan shares with Larry and Luke, while not entirely captivating, still hold their own. Joan and Larry come across as an old couple, comfortable and warm in their understanding of each other. This shared ease justifies Joan’s hesitation to choose Luke, her first love, who has waited nearly 45 years in the afterlife to be with her. Turner’s portrayal of Luke evokes a dreamy nostalgia—his first meeting with Joan even elicited waves of delighted gasps from the theater audience.
In contrast to the understated dynamic between Joan and Larry, Olsen and Turner capture the sparks of a shy, uncertain first love, resulting in a subtle emotional distance between Joan and Luke.
*Eternity* straddles the line between comedy and romance but struggles to give the story’s dramatic elements the attention they deserve. While the film hints at reflections on the vastness of life, complete with regrets, hardships, and joys, these themes never fully take center stage. They are introduced and partially developed but lack the focus needed to be fully integrated into the narrative.
Joan’s journey illustrates this imbalance clearly. To decide which man to spend her eternity with, Joan is allowed by the coordinators to spend a day in eternity with each. Many of Joan and Luke’s interactions revolve around regret and a longing to revive a relationship tragically cut short by Luke’s death. In contrast, Joan’s time with Larry offers the chance to reflect on the life they shared and their relationship’s meaning. However, the closest the pair comes to delving into their shared past is a botched conversation during a boat ride on a beach date.
There is immense potential in these moments to fully explore what Larry and Joan’s lives and relationship signify in the face of eternal commitment. Unfortunately, this potential remains frustratingly untapped.
The film’s habit of introducing but not developing its characters often leaves the story feeling overstuffed. For example, when Joan travels through the back doors between the eternities, the script briefly reveals the dark memories hidden beneath the otherwise idyllic afterlife. Joan literally squeezes through nightmares, attempting to return to the main station. This haunting and beautiful landscape is captivating, but the audience only glimpses it for about ten minutes. This intriguing narrative thread could have delivered far greater impact if more fully explored.
While charming, *Eternity* ultimately offers a heartwarming story that falls short of realizing its full potential. The film gets caught up in the whirlwind of its romance, overlooking the fact that the best romantic stories are often grounded in deeper reflections on life, desire, and regret. These elements, rather than supporting the film, serve merely as a sketchy backdrop to its intriguing yet underdeveloped world.
https://thehoya.com/guide/eternity-is-an-enchanting-yet-imperfect-romance/
