Andrew Garfield recently delved into the chaotic yet memorable birth scene from his latest film We Live in Time, a romantic dramedy co-starring Florence Pugh. In an interview with The New York Times, Garfield humorously unpacked the experience, describing it as an unexpectedly action-packed sequence. “It’s the big action event,” Garfield quipped, comparing it to a blockbuster moment, adding, “It’s the Indiana Jones sequence.”
The film follows the relationship between Garfield’s character, Tobias, an earnest salesman, and Pugh’s Almut, a witty chef, as they navigate life’s challenges, including illness and career milestones. One of the film’s standout moments occurs when a labor scene unfolds in the most unlikely of places: a gas station bathroom. Due to standstill traffic and unlucky timing, the birth occurs there, a scenario inspired by screenwriter Nick Payne’s real-life concerns about his wife’s labor. Director John Crowley recreated the bathroom setting on a soundstage, and filming took two days, with the scene shot eight times.
A real weeks-old baby was brought in for the final moments after the doll was used for blocking, and Garfield embraced the unpredictability that came with the infant. “Honestly, those moments were the most beautiful because you’re just like, ‘Oh God, this is life, what a privilege,’” Garfield shared, reflecting on the baby’s natural bodily functions during the scene.
Garfield also emphasized the importance of maintaining a comfortable atmosphere for his co-star, Pugh, noting, “I was mostly acting with Florence’s bum,” and adding, “I really wanted to make sure that she felt safe and felt tended to and cared for.”
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