What happens when you die? A question that many have tried to answer, interpret it in their own philosophical terms, maybe the good ones descend into heaven, the bad ones to hell. Some say you pass through an illuminated tunnel built of memories of a life you loved, or maybe reincarnate into another being. In David Freyne’s Eternity, you don’t drift into the unknown; you pause at a crossroads between life and death and are asked to choose your own version of paradise, a place where you’ll spend the rest of… well, eternity. The ultimate dilemma, however, arrives with a cruel romantic twist: along with selecting the forever destination, what if you must also choose between the two greatest loves of your life? Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Calum Turner, here’s our full review of David Freyne’s Eternity.
Plot Of Eternity
Eternity follows the characters of the film at the afterlife junction, where they must choose the eternity they will spend the rest of their lives in. The souls have a week to make this arduous decision. Joan (played by Elizabeth Olsen) is caught in a deep dilemma when she has to make a choice between her husband of more than sixty years, Larry (played by Miles) and her first love, Luke (played by Callum Turner), who died a martyr sixty-seven years ago to spend eternity with.
Performances
Elisabeth Olsen delivers a brilliant performance as the anxious, dilemma-struck Joan. To me, lead characters in a love triangle plot often come off as indecisive and unlikable; however, with Olsen’s performance and Joan’s character, the viewer understands exactly where her predicament stems from and empathises with her.
Callum Turner plays a perfect Luke, yearning for the love of his life, who’s not so perfect after all. The actor’s tone and voice modulation to play a 1960s war soldier killed while fighting in the Korean War is certainly impressive. Miles Teller as the flustered and deeply in love Larry is charming and adorable.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph is a delight to watch every time she appears on the screen, and the film is just a reminder of why we need to see more of the actress in projects.
Verdict – A poignant and charming love triangle
Watching Eternity is a roller coaster ride. The film is a perfect balance of emotions, comedy and creativity. David Freyne and Pat Cunnane have scripted a unique world set in the afterlife that is equal parts gorgeous and fascinating. In an era of cinema where films look bland with a dull and bleak colour palette, Eternity’s vibrant colour grading and beautiful sets feel like a breath of fresh air.
Eternities like the 1930s without the Nazis, Paris Land, a World Without Men, the Memory Archives, and the concept of Afterlife Coordinators (ACs) who guide souls through these uncharted territories are deeply intriguing. Running gags, like Luke being a Korean War martyr and Larry’s unhealthy obsession with pretzels that ultimately leads to his death, add a fun comedic touch.
The film also delves into heavier topics like love and loss. How does one process grief? Can a lifetime or an eternity be enough or too much to spend with the love of your life? What is true love? Is it the first time you felt your heart fluttering, or the time you spend growing old and grey with someone? The authentic character growth of Joan, Luke and Larry, along with emotional monologues, elevates the script further.
The most crucial moment of Eternity, Joan’s decision, arrives about 40 minutes before the film ends, throwing viewers into anticipation as they wait to see what follows. Exploring all three possible outcomes was a refreshing spin on the love-triangle trope.
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Some portions of the second half feel slightly underdeveloped, with the climax appearing a bit rushed. Filled with sweet moments and charming characters, Eternity is a funny, poignant and emotional watch that will pull you in for a delightful experience!
The film is now running in theatres near you.