The romantic comedy genre is in an interesting place. Studios simply aren’t making them as often as they used to, which is in large part due to poor box office performance from the genre as a whole. Part of the problem is in its DNA. The genre is riddled with tropes, which, if done correctly, can be comforting, but if done poorly, become stale and forgettable. Eternity takes that familiarity and asks a far more intriguing question. Instead of choosing who to go to the high school dance with, what if you had to choose who to spend the rest of time with?
Eternity follows Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) and her journey to the afterlife, where she has a week to decide which Eternity she wants to go to. There’s an endless number of eternities to go to, each promising something unique. An already difficult choice becomes more complicated when she is face-to-face with her husband of 65 years, Larry (Miles Teller), and her first love and husband, who died young and has been waiting for her all this time, Luke (Callum Turner). With no do-overs or changing Eternity, her choice will decide her entire future. A classic love triangle that has been seen before, but Eternity uses its pacing and structure to approach each character as the lead, making the audience root for all of them.
Both Larry and Luke have their time in the spotlight and have their own case for Joan’s love. On one hand there’s first love cut too short, while on the other is loyalty of 65 years. Not only did this make the audience get invested, but it also left the ending a mystery until the last moment. Love triangles can often fall into the trap of forcing their characters into a trope, which makes the entire story predictable. Eternity avoids this by showing both Joan and the audience just how flawed her partners are. For a story about the afterlife, the humanity of its characters is never in question, making this situation feel relatable and drawing the audience in. It’s so hard to become invested when a character’s motivations are relatable, but even more so when their flaws are.
This turmoil is on full display in Elizabeth Olsen’s performance. Olsen gives so much attention to detail throughout the movie. Depending on which husband she’s with, there are slight deviations in her walk, speaking pattern, and attitude. Her chemistry with both Miles Teller and Callum Turner cannot be understated. Turner and Teller work so well opposite each other. Their personalities are constantly clashing despite having the same driving goal. These performances are so strong that it was disappointing a few of the emotional beats were let down by the script. Many times, specifically toward the end, the story reached out and grabbed hold of the audience, but it never yanked. The biggest issue Eternity faces is playing it a little on the safe side. Not to say the story isn’t emotional, but there was potential for something really special.
It’s impossible to talk about this cast without mentioning Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Her role as Anna is one of the funniest performances of the year, but she also shines in the quiet intimate moments with the leads. Anna acts as both the characters’ and the audience’s guide to the afterlife, a seemingly mundane role that Randolph brings so much life to. She fits perfectly into an afterlife that feels so lived in.
Visually, Eternity stands apart from this year; it’s not trying to be the most cinematic, or more colorful, or the highest budget. The style is distinct and purposeful. The colors, lighting, and movement all feel like there was purpose behind each specific decision. Just look in the background of shots that are full of hilarious Eternity propaganda or little side stories. The slight film grain on top gives Eternity a cozy, nostalgic feeling. Composer Dave Flemming produces a score that at times is whimsical and light, but when appropriate takes a more grand cinematic approach.
Eternity works because of its commitment. Too often movies aim for broad appeal, and in doing so lose touch with their core. At its foundation, a love triangle isn’t anything groundbreaking, yet the stakes and the people caught in the middle make it feel refreshing. Olsen, Teller, and Turner are a blast to watch, especially backdropped by the film’s gorgeous visual palette. Where Eternity falters is in its script. A final act that feels a bit cheap undercuts the emotional momentum the film had been building. What should have been an emotional rollercoaster of a finale ends up feeling more like a scenic car ride. Despite its flaws, this is still an Eternity worth choosing.
