In David Freyne’s Eternity, after he chokes to death on a pretzel, Larry (Miles Teller) wakes up as a much younger version of himself at a junction where people have almost infinite options of where to go for eternity – but only get to pick one they have to stick with for all time. Intent on waiting for his wife, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), Larry prepares for her arrival, unaware that her first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who was killed in action before Larry met Joan, has been waiting considerably longer for the love of his life.
Awards Buzz spoke with Freyne about developing this concept, especially how Teller and Olsen would sound like the older versions of their characters:
“The idea of being reborn at your happiest is such an essential part of the script. I think there’s all these beautiful reveals as to when and why each of our characters were happiest that lead to really heartbreaking and lovely revelations and moments in the film. I just love that idea, and I love that your happiest isn’t necessarily your youngest or your hottest. I think there’s characters that are in their seventies that are most contented. I did so much research before coming on board and writing it of when people are their happiest, and very often it is when you’re slightly older. And for men, very often they’re happiest when they’re ten-year-old boys, because the world is slightly geared towards ten-year-old boys. So it was really fun to explore that idea, and the simple concept of happiness and when that is. But I think the reason that similarity between our older actors who play Joan and Larry in the opening of our film exists so beautifully in Lizzie and Miles’ performance is just down to them. They were extraordinary. Miles and Lizzie really reveled in being ninety-year-olds in their bodies and the mannerisms and the behavior and the posture of that, and how their voices would be, and how that would change over time as you realize your back isn’t creaking or that your knees aren’t fecked. It was really lovely to see them develop that.”
Watch the video above to hear more about the fun of making this film, including the many versions of eternities that were presented and some which didn’t make the final cut.
Eternity opens in theaters on Wednesday, November 26th.
