Movie Number 45 of 2025
The Movie: Eternity
The Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens
Runtime: One hour 54 minutes
Stars: 3
I wanted to love this movie. On paper, it looks great - wonderful cast, interesting story, a different take on things.
Unfortunately, it fell flat. Maybe some of this was I fell asleep for a few minutes early in the film. Perhaps it's the knowledge that it's going to be out on Apple + very soon and I could have saved myself the ticket price. Or it could be that the death of a friend earlier in the week has peppered my judgement a little. When I think about it, this will translate well to the smaller screen. It's certainly not a bad film. Maybe it didn't hit the spot on this viewing.
Regardless, the premise of this film in pretty simple. According to this universe, when you die, you go to a holding area where your soul gets to decide where you will spend your eternity - and there are lots of choices. We're introduced Joan and Larry, and elderly couple who are on their way to see relatives. We find out that Joan's time is coming to an end. Unexpectedly, Larry passes first and finds himself, in the form he was happiest, in this receiving room for new souls. Larry (Miles Teller) finds himself confronted by Joan's first husband Luke (Callum Turner) who died in the Korean War. Of course, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) soon joins them, and the decisions need to be made. With whom will Joan choose to spend eternity with - her short-term husband from 67 years ago, or her long-standing partner Larry.
I found this a bit predictable, which is why I'm a little disappointed with this film. The concepts are sound - the whole set up that we get to choose our own version of heaven and all it entailed was great. The ACs (Afterlife Consultants) was funny as well as telling. Da'Vine Randolph and John Early provide some necessary laughs as the trio's AC.
Despite it being visually interesting, with great costumes and sets, Patrick Cunnane's script feels a little lacking and co-writer/director's effort makes this feel a little laboured. Thinking about other films with similar topics, like The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Gattaca, this misses the mark by a mile. Yet, it will be a good inclusion when it comes onto Apple TV+ in the very near future.
As I said, I wish I liked this more.
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