Eternity Parent Guide

Death is not what Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) expected. After breathing her last, she finds herself in a confusing place known as the Junction, which is part train station, part convention hall. She’s informed by her AC (Afterlife Coordinator) that she has one week to pick the eternity she wants – and boy, are there are lot of choices. Beach World, Mountain World, Nudist World, Springtime World, Man-Free World (at full capacity; another version coming soon) - all are hers for the choosing.

This decision pales in comparison to the larger one in front of her: at the Junction, she is reunited with her husband, Larry (Miles Teller), who recently predeceased her, and with whom she shared 65 years of marriage. Joan also encounters Luke (Callum Turner) to whom she was briefly married before his tragic death in the Korean War. Not only does she need to choose where to spend eternity, she must decide who she wants to spend it with.

There are a lot of things that Eternity does right and at the top of the list is the cast. Elizabeth Olsen grounds this film with an intensely emotional performance as she is paralyzed by her love for both men and the impossibility of the choice. Both Miles Teller and Callum Turner match her with performances melding love, devotion, fear, and insecurity. Best of all, the men are both appealing (and sometimes annoying), which makes it hard for the audience to root for one over the other. This is an emotionally rich film that just might have you reaching for your hanky. (My eyes stayed dry, but I have a shriveled critic’s heart.)

The script also deserves commendation: it’s rare that a romantic drama treads new ground. “Unexpected” and “unpredictable” are not words I usually apply to romantic flicks, but I was delighted to watch this film, never knowing what was happening next or how the story would end. The script is dotted with comic moments, sight gags, and witty one-liners: this was written by someone who knew what they were doing. The little details are worth savoring – particularly the multiple (and often hilarious) potential eternities.

On the flip side, I am unhappy with the level of negative content in the film. There’s a completely unnecessary sex scene, which is dimly lit but still could easily have been omitted from the story. Ditto for repeated sexual conversations and four dozen-plus profanities. Parents will also object to the frequent alcohol consumption and scenes of intoxication. This could easily have been a PG film, but the unwarranted negative content pushes it into PG-13 territory.

I’m certain that Eternity is one of those films that will trigger plenty of discussion amongst moviegoers: some will be charmed and others (particularly with strong religious beliefs) will be appalled. But whether or not you like the movie’s view of the afterlife, the story imparts some strong, positive messages about love, loyalty, devotion, selflessness, and sacrifice. It even makes audiences think as well as feel, and when it comes to romantic movies, that’s a win.