By: Dominic La-Viola
A film that embodies Casablanca beautifully for a new generation. Although I don’t think it will get the same praise.
Eternity feels like the latest in a long line of films that have created a new sub genre. Elevated romantic comedies. All while low-key embodying one of the greatest love stories of all time: “Casablanca.”
The film has all the core settings of what we would typically see in a romantic comedy. Yet, approaching it in such a way, it’s new and fresh.
How do you add a sense of will they won’t they, all while keeping your viewer engaged and fully vested while offering them something new?
You convince your audience that there is a chance that she won’t pick her husband of over 60 years, all while creating a narrative that makes your audience not hate her, but actually feel bad for her.
Eternity, not only creates that narrative, it creates a love triangle that is not only valid. But one in which could possibly be the greatest love triangle, since it is the greatest love triangle.
The film not only tackles the subject matter of where do we go after we die and what is waiting for us. Something that doesn’t usually work, for the divide it creates. Yet with “Eternity,” the afterlife is less of the premise of the film.
Playing more as a background, with no substance to religion or any actual beliefs. But entangled enough in the story to be relevant and problematic. For once you choose an “Eternity” to spend the rest of your “Eternity” there is no changing or going back.
So of course, the simple answer for the entangled love triangle would have been the simple way out. They all go to the same “Eternity” which essentially is a cop-out. Plenty of people and places to go. They could easily coincide without having to all three be together all the time.
Of course, neither of the husbands wants to be in the same “Eternity” as the other, forever competing for the attention and love of the woman in whom they are their everything.
David Freyne captures both sides of the genre blissfully. Allowing the comedic moments to flow through without it ever becoming cheesy and overly chewy.
Taking a new look and diving into what love is, and going beyond the surface of lust, desire, and longing. By comparing the relationships of two marriages, of the same woman. One in which was cut short by death and war. While the other was long, loving, and blissful. Up to the point of loving, yet petty bickering.
Not to mention you have a star-studded cast that all share this unparalleled chemistry. Olson has this amazing chemistry with both Teller and Turner. Giving us this believable and interesting love triangle that undoubtedly works.
Olsen’s performance is one that I think is going to be underrated and overlooked for the subject matter. For she really tunes into the unbelievable, believable dilemma of a twice-widowed woman.
Overall, I think the film captures this amazing journey of love and what marriage truly means. Comparing and analyzing various aspects of relationships, going beneath the surface level and really exploring what defines love.
While being not only one of the best romantic comedies since “When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle”, I believe this film will be overlooked and sadly fall by the wayside. Not earning its eternal spot among the greatest romcoms of all time. Which it rightly deserves .
The ending is blissfully perfect, while some may argue that the perfect ending goes against everything we learned from previous events in the film. I would argue that there was no better ending. Simply allowing them to find the perfect “Eternity” outside of the realm of the paradises shown is the point. That the perfect “Eternity” isn’t where you are, but who you have to spend it with.
Leaning slightly inwards on the tropes of rom coms, yet somehow creating this uncharted territory of bliss. Allowing the film to end in such a way without tampering with its overall quality.
Overall Rating – 5/5 Stars.
Four Time Film School Dropout 
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