I may have started bawling unexpectedly while watching Eternity, but probably not for the reason you’re thinking.
Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, Miles Teller, and directed by David Freyne, Eternity is set in an afterlife where souls are given one week to decide where, and with whom, they’ll spend eternity.
Unfortunately for Joan (Olsen), her choice is an impossible one, between the husband who died at war many years ago and the one who died more recently, as an old man, after living several decades together.
Romantic, dramatic, emotional, funny and wonderfully acted, Eternity may not be perfect, due to a few slower moments, but you will likely be moved and either feel grateful for what you have, hopeful for what could be, or both
At the trailer stage, I expected something closer to The Good Place (2016-2020), with its blend of afterlife mythology and moral philosophy. Eternity isn’t that. There’s no deep dive into how the afterlife works; it’s simply the setting. But that doesn’t lessen the experience. The film is worthwhile because of its performances, especially Olsen’s, and its relatable exploration of love, life, and choice, all lightly sprinkled with humour.
Given the unenviable position Joan is placed in, don’t be surprised if you find yourself empathising so deeply that you start getting annoyed with the Afterlife Coordinators, because the rules and limitations surrounding such a monumental decision feel wildly unreasonable. You may even catch yourself mentally drafting improvements to the process, just to spare Joan and others from unnecessary regret. At least that’s how ‘involved’ I became.
Absolutely watch Eternity if you’re curious. It may not be the afterlife mythology exploration that is The Good Place, but it’s still a unique, well-told, and genuinely moving story.
Happy Film Loving,
G
