REVIEW: ‘Eternity’ Is a Fun Story Backed with Great Performances

A24’s Eternity asks the question; how do you want to spend your eternity? When Larry Cutler (Miles Teller) unexpectedly dies, he ends up in the Junction. The place where individuals go after death to decide where they will spend their eternity. Assigned an afterlife coordinator (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) to assist with his decision, Larry tries to hold out as long as possible in hopes his wife, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) will join him in the Junction. When his final day at the Junction arises, Larry makes his decision and heads off to start his eternity. However, before he can board his train, Joan arrives at the Junction. Confused by her new surroundings, Joan is happy to see a familiar face in her husband. But that is not the only familiar face she sees. Joan’s first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who died in the war, has been waiting 67 years to be reunited with his one true love. Now, stuck between the love that could have been and the love that was, Joan must not only decide where she wants to spend eternity, but who she wants to spend it with.

At first glance, one would assume this film would be more of a romantic drama instead of a romantic comedy. This assumption would be incorrect. This movie is an enjoyable balance of comedy and romance. Teller steals the show with his performance as Larry. His loveable sense of humor, and easy-going nature makes it easy for the audience to see why Joan fell in love with him. He and Olsen are wonderful alongside each other as their chemistry has a more settled feel to it. You felt as if Teller and Olsen had been married for years with how easily they bantered back and forth with each other. Though, Teller and Olsen’s relationship wasn’t the only great relationship on screen. The other relationship nod goes to Teller and Randolph. These two were comedic gold. From Teller’s one-liners to Randolph’s under the breath comments, fans were treated to laughter after laughter when they were on screen together. Turner plays Joan’s heartthrob husband and does well in the role. He and Olsen also had great chemistry, but their relationship explored the honeymoon aspect of relationships. They had a fire to their chemistry where Teller and Olsen, as I said earlier, had a more settled feel to it. Olsen outdoes herself in this role and it is a joy to watch.

Eternity is a remarkably simple movie. It follows the typical tropes found in most romantic movies but puts its own spin on it. Director/writer, David Freyne, and his co-writer, Pat Cunnane, have created a feel-good movie worth seeing. The story isn’t too over the top, the sets are miniscule, and the performances are fantastic. Whether it be in theaters or when it is release On Demand, Eternity is the perfect movie to just lose yourself in. Though, it does leave you questioning where you would spend your eternity, which may leave some feeling stressed when all is said and done. But, if you can forget about that part, you are guaranteed an enjoyable time with this movie.

Grade: A