When it was announced last March that Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield would be starring in a movie together, little was revealed about the plot. Deadline, which broke the news, described it as “funny” and “deeply moving.” GQ and POPSUGAR reported the film to be a “rom-com.” On Google, the movie is listed under the Romance/Comedy category.

So when the trailer for “We Live in Time” featured Pugh with a shaved head and teary-eyed in a doctor’s office, it was unexpected, to me, at least. The trailer showed that this film would not necessarily fit into the categories of classics such as “13 Going on 30” (2004) or “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003).

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In the stereotypical rom-com, boy and girl meet — of course in a heteronormative scenario; however, films like “But I’m a Cheerleader” (1999) and “Saving Face” (2004) enter the genre through a queer lens. The pair falls in love, and then there is some type of miscommunication or mess followed by the emotional climactic reunion. Whether it be running through the airport or reading a tearful poem during class, the typical rom-com knows how to evoke an emotional response from viewers while still ending on an uplifting note.

It makes sense that when people are stressed, they turn to rom-coms, especially those from the ’90s and 2000s. While there are modern rom-coms like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018) and, more recently, “Anyone But You” (2023), it’s hard to imagine they will have the same staying power as a “Love Actually” (2003) or “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989).

You shouldn’t go into “We Live in Time” with the expectation of a comedy, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t borrow some iconic genre cliches. There’s the chaotic meet cute where Pugh’s character hits Garfield’s with her car; there’s the first morning after where the duo take a beautiful stroll through the park and cook breakfast; and, of course, there’s the breakup that leads to a tearful apology speech and emotional reunion.

There’s also just an undeniable chemistry and easiness between Pugh and Garfield, one that many actors can only dream of. Thinking of some recent rom-com pairings, this duo may be the best. The movie was not a rom-com, but it did get me thinking about the genre.

When a modern-day rom-com decides to go the more cliche route like “Red, White & Royal Blue” (2023) and “Set It Up” (2018), sometimes it can feel like watching a Hallmark Channel movie. (This is not necessarily a bad thing for me — my mom and I have probably watched more than 100 Hallmark movies together.) Still, this trend does not inspire me.

Some movies take a more creative spin like “Bottoms” (2023), my favorite movie in recent history. However, despite the gorgeous and fun romance between Josie and Isabel, the best parts of the movie come more from the “com” than they do from the “rom.” Amazon Prime Video doesn’t even list the film under the romance category.

So maybe we won’t get an iconic rom-com for a while, but only time can tell what will be immortalized in pop culture. But I don’t think we need new rom-coms. The beauty of a fantastic rom-com is its timeless rewatchability. With so many already available for rewatch on streaming platforms, I don’t necessarily feel the need for more.

Sure, watching “Anyone but You” with my sister in the theater and “Red, White & Royal Blue” with my roommates was fun, but it would have been just as fun with “You’ve Got Mail” (1998). My favorite part about rom-coms is watching, laughing, and crying with the people I love. Whether the movie is good or bad, rom-coms are always a fun time.

If you need a mid-semester relaxer or a lighthearted film to watch with friends, “We Live in Time” is not close to the easygoing rom-com that will help, but it’s still the most beautiful love story of the decade. With all the tears you will shed, it will still be a bonding experience with whoever you see it with.

With all that being said, I’m still happy to watch any rom-coms that emerge in the near future. Especially if “We Live in Time” happens to lead to a more classic Hallmark-style rom-com starring Pugh and Garfield, I will be happily seated on opening night.

​​Kimberly Aguirre is a senior writing about comedy. Her column, “Comic Relief,” runs every other Tuesday. She is also the editor in chief of the Daily Trojan.