With a vivid backdrop of painterly visuals that could only be described as serene, David Freyne delivered an incredibly heartfelt and intimate story with “Eternity.” Luckily, there was an advance screening on Nov. 5 in the Cinemark Theater located on 4012 Walnut Street. The Triangle got a chance to cover the film and see the winner of the 2025 Toronto International Film Fest.
“Eternity” is ultimately a movie about moving on, a point made stronger with the limbo-esque setting in the bulk of the film. We follow Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), who is caught between the choice of spending the rest of her afterlife with the husband she died with, or the husband who died in her early years and waited over sixty years in the afterlife to be with her.
The movie approaches this conflict in a delicate manner that allows for all of the nuance and different perspectives one would expect from that more-than-difficult situation; depicting any kind of love triangle almost always is. This time it was between Callum Turner’s character, Luke, and a face that might be recognized from “Whiplash,” Miles Teller as Larry.
Through the deciding, just about every character goes through hardship while the film still manages to keep a lighthearted tone. This film balances serious and comedic elements quite equally without either side feeling overbearing. Freyne does a great job of turning the guides into characters that can stand on their own and command the screen. Especially with Anne, Larry’s spiritual guide, who offers a barrage of witty barbs throughout the film.
After hearing Luke’s story about waiting so long and dying a soldier, it seems almost unquestionable not to go with him. “Eternity” captures the complex nature of interpersonal relationships and feelings by forcing someone to consider ‘what is better’ in a situation that involves two of their beloved’s.
Who are viewers supposed to root for? Should they factor in looks? Who deserves her more?All these questions carry themselves throughout the film, with “is this really forever?” being the most present one.