TIFF Review: ‘Eternity’ is a Pretty Clever High Concept Romantic Comedy

What is the afterlife to you? Eternity posits the concept that we all get to choose how we spend the days after death, more or less however we choose. Who we choose to spend it with, however, is the devil in the details. That’s the hook for this romantic comedy with a twist. It’s not an overly stunning work, but as a really enjoyable rom com playing at the Toronto International Film Festival, there’s a lot to like about it.

Eternity is funny and warm, while still having a unique sensibility. The narrative is familiar, so the framing and details being so different are actually pretty important. You’ll spend lots of time looking at all the eternities on display, since more than a few of them are meant to make you giggle. You’ll also get the feels with the central romance, even if little of what we’re seeing hasn’t been put forth before in different works.

Larry (Miles Teller) and Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) were married for 65 years, until they die a week apart. Larry goes first and enters the afterlife, which is represented as a way station where every soul has a week to decide who to spend the rest of eternity with. Presented as the age they were when they were happiest, Larry and Joan are young again, with the former guided by Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and the latter by Ryan (John Early). It should be obvious that they’re going to choose a place together, though a hiccup is about to present itself.

There’s the little matter of Luke (Callum Turner), Joan’s first husband who died in the Korean War. Luke has been waiting 67 years now to be reunited and have her back. So, Joan has to make a choice. Does she take a second chance at her first love with Luke? Or, does she continue on with her second marriage and the steadiness she found with Larry? As she decides, the guys do their best to woo her, with amusing and even affecting results.

The trio of Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner are very charming, with each doing some nice work. Olsen is the most contemplative of the group, while Teller is the most logical, though all three add some nice layers to their character. Olsen has a believable chemistry with both guys for what they represent in her life. In addition to John Early and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, the small supporting cast includes Betty Buckley and Olga Merediz, among others.

David Freyne directs a screenplay he co-wrote with Patrick Cunnane, leaning into the fun visuals of the afterlife, as well as the gags inherent in the advertisements for different eternities. Cunnane and Freyne are having a lot of fun there, which is important since the romantic element of the rom com is a bit more generic than the comedy aspect. The tracks are well worn here, and while they’re effective, a sense of familiarity is inevitable.

Eternity utilizes its high concept well enough to keep you interested, even if you more or less know where things are going. It’s different, which counts for a lot, both at TIFF and in general release. This one has a chance to be a crossover hit, too, if A24 can market it properly to the smarter romantic comedy crowd.

SCORE: ★★★