Eternity: The Quirky Afterlife Rom-Com

So, Joan’s got a little bit of a pickle on her hands. It turns out that after 65 years of blissful memories and all the love one could ask for with her husband Larry, she finds herself on the flip side of life—only to discover she’s not alone. Nope, she’s got her first husband, Luke, who’s been waiting for a long, long time. Talk about a situation that would make any soap opera writer green with envy!

A Classic Love Triangle with a Twist

Welcome to Eternity, directed by David Freyne, a delightful twist on the classic rom-com that we always seem to be missing these days. Imagine a soft throwback to yesteryear’s romantic tales; it’s like flipping channels through the past! Freyne and co-writer Patrick Cuanne channel the good vibes of rom-com legends like Heaven Can Wait and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir while tackling one age-old question: Is it possible to love more than one person at a time? And if so, what’s more important: the passion or the years of companionship?

The Quirks of Afterlife Coordination

Now, let’s talk about Joan’s current dilemma—who to spend forever with? Our dear Larry, who insists on being called “the current husband,” is played by the perfectly cranky Barry Primus. But hold onto your hats because Larry looks eerily like a certain Hollywood heartthrob, Miles Teller!

Then there’s Anna, the sass-tastic afterlife coordinator who tells us that when you kick the bucket, you revert to the version of yourself that was happiest. So, if you happen to have been a six-pack sporting young’un, expect to see that guy in the afterlife, right? Suprise—Joan gets to strut her stuff as a youthful Elizabeth Olsen, while Luke is eternally frozen at the ripe age of 20, forever the newlywed war hero.

The Choices of Eternity

Our heroine, Joan, has the tough job of choosing not just between two loves, but also what her eternity looks like. Spoiler: it ain’t all golden streets and angel wings! Think more along the lines of a busy airport with afterlife coordinators dressed to the nines and folks waiting impatiently for their forever destination. Will it be the scenic mountains as Luke wishes or the sunny beach where Larry dreams? Tough choices, folks. Because whatever you pick, that’s it. Forever.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

From start to finish, Eternity is what you’d call a “choose your own romantic adventure” done in the wittiest way possible. It even carries a hint of irony, as it could be sketchily compared to the Titanic romance—remember Rose darting away from a lifeboat with babies in tow to chase after Jack? Yeah, it’s like that, but funnier!

What really stands out in this film is how it beautifully captures the emotional essence of being truly alive and in love. The contrast between Larry’s seasoned love and Luke’s fiery young passion serves as an entertaining backdrop. In the audience, we might cheer for Larry, who’s the practical choice, but Luke is the dreamy matinee idol that would make anyone swoon!

Humor and Heart

Both Freyne and Cuanne do a great job of keeping the humor both light and character-driven. Even when the film touches on poignant moments, it avoids hitting us over the head with cheap laughs or cartoonish antics. Instead, it’s like a beautifully orchestrated symphony of characters navigating their eternal predicaments while keeping the heart intact. And let’s not forget the hilarious alternate versions of afterlife scenarios—like “No Men World” and “Weimar Germany with 100% Less Nazis!”—that really show the comedic chops of this film.

The Bittersweet Finale

As we reach the climax, there are some surprising twists that might just tug at your heartstrings. However, no matter the outcome, Eternity maintains its fondness for every character, creating a love letter to the rom-com genre that we just can’t help but adore. So, gather your feelings, folks, because when it comes to romantic dilemmas, this one will stick with you!

Eternity is currently lighting up screens in theaters!