ETERNITY
Starring: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, Olga Merediz, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Director: David Freyne
NICK
If you’re in love with two people at different points in your life, how is that handled in the afterlife? That’s something I’ve wondered, and something Eternity sets out to answer. It’s an interesting premise that works, thanks to the charm of Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen as they embody their younger selves. However, Eternity fails to reach the depth its thesis deserves. Although it creates suspense by exploring every avenue for Joan (Olsen), when the time comes for a decision, you can't help but wonder if the outcome was the right one. It’s fine, but it feels like it could’ve been something more.
ADRIANO
The question of how and who to spend post-life with is a tough one, and yet, Eternity confronted that idea pretty safely. At least it was sincere, giving real weight to some of the more powerful moments. The world-building is interesting, and Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner all deliver great performances. My issue is that the movie clearly was winding up for a bittersweet tearjerker, but it spent too much of the third act creating diversions to hide the inevitable finale. That's not to say Eternity is not emotional; it's just nothing special.
AMARÚ
Eternity is a crowd pleaser that balances not falling too far into its serious themes nor leaning too much into tragic dark humor. Joan's (Elizabeth Olsen) difficult choice on which husband to spend eternity with hit me in the heart, primarily due to Olsen’s endearing performance. The amusing dynamic between her, Miles Teller, Callum Turner, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph brings an old-school comedic timing that, at times, hits the right tone, and, at others, is a little hollow. Ultimately, though, director David Freyne brings a complicated realism to how we think about love, life, death, and soulmates. It’s real, it’s messy, and it’s entertainingly sweet.
PAIGE
A24 continues to prove they have a handle on all genres. Eternity may not be the most romantic or surprising movie, as the writing is pretty much on the wall with where you think the story is going, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this flick is a total delight. Its clever concept focused on love and the afterlife is both charming and unexpectedly quite funny. Our leads, Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner, bring so much charm, while the supporting cast, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early, add the humor.
