Eternity review: Elizabeth Olsen is sensational in throwback comedy
I absolutely adore Elizabeth Olsen and was thrilled to see her in something a bit lighter – like Eternity – after years of dark, serious roles.
In David Freyne‘s fantasy romantic comedy, elderly man Larry dies and finds himself in the junction as the happiest version of himself (Miles Teller). The junction is an in-between station where people choose their afterlife with their Afterlife Coordinator, such as Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) or Ryan (John Early). When his wife of 65 years, Joan (Olsen plays her younger self), dies several days later, Larry naturally assumes they’ll pick their afterlife together. However, things become complicated when Joan discovers that her first husband Luke (Callum Turner), who died in the Korean War, has been waiting for her at the junction for 67 years.
Joan has a big dilemma on her hands. Which husband should spend eternity with? The one that she’s been married to for 65 years or the one that died young and has been waiting for 67? It’s an impossible choice, and knowing you can’t undo your afterlife choice puts extra pressure on it. Both Larry and Luke try to woo Joan and convince her that she should go with them. What a conundrum! It really makes you think about what afterlife you’d choose (some of the options are hilarious!) and what you would do in her position.
Eternity feels like an old-fashioned screwball comedy at the beginning, with heightened performances, Wes Anderson-esque set designs and a concept that has so much potential for hilarity. It is very funny, particularly the dynamics between the trio, Anna’s interventions and the ridiculous afterlife options (Infantilization World is one!).
Olsen is absolutely sensational. She plays the stakes well and is emotionally volatile, which makes her performance hilarious and moving at different points. She seems to be the only one putting on a voice and holding herself differently, because she was this version of Joan in the 1950s. Perhaps her co-stars were more subtle about it, but they seemed more modern than they should be. Teller and Turner are both good, but Olsen is on a totally different level, and her performance makes the film as good as it is.
Besides Olsen, my other favourite was Randolph. She is fabulous; her line deliveries and facial expressions are so funny, and she cracked me up the most. Randolph really makes the most of every line. Her character feels similar to who she plays in Only Murders in the Building though.
The only downside is the running time and pacing. Eternity would have worked better as a tight 90-minute (or 100 minutes at a push) film rather than 114 minutes. There is a moment where it feels like it’s drawing to a close, and then it goes on for another 15-20 minutes. It’s really such a bummer that it drags and overstays its welcome because the first half is practically perfect.
In cinemas from Friday 5th December