Olsen, Turner and Teller lead clever, charming ‘Eternity’

Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner and Miles Teller in a scene from ‘Eternity’ (AP24) [AP Photo]

Joan Cutler has an impossible decision to make in “Eternity.” The newly deceased character, played by Elizabeth Olsen, has one week to choose who she’ll spend the afterlife with – and two husbands waiting. Luke (Callum Turner) is the dashing young love who died in the Korean War just as their life together began. Larry (Miles Teller) is the cranky, common one who shared 65 years of marriage with her.

Even death, it seems, offers no respite from earthly puzzles like the love triangle. Messy and confusing for the characters, sure, but also one of storytelling’s best setups for a screwball comedy. And this imaginative, shrewdly whimsical film – buoyed by an utterly charming cast – delivers on the promise.

Most of the film unfolds in the Junction, a comically ordinary brutalist hotel/convention-center–slash–afterlife expo where the recently departed shop for their eternal destination. An afterlife coordinator (our main ACs are Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early) greets newcomers and explains the options: Paris Land, Studio 54 World, Mountain Town, Weimar World (with 100% fewer Nazis!) and more. The big catch: the decision is final.

Screenwriter Patrick Cunnane conceived the story and developed it with director David Freyne. The film wears its influences openly, with Albert Brooks’ “Defending Your Life” looming large.

We meet Joan and Larry briefly as octogenarians, en route to a family party and bickering about whether to vacation at the beach (his choice) or the mountains (hers).

Larry’s holdover week is nearly up when Joan arrives at the Junction, where her AC, Ryan (Early), says he’s been waiting 67 years. Ryan also oversees Luke, who has been in limbo all this time, awaiting Joan’s arrival – the ultimate romantic gesture. Joan, youthful again, is overwhelmed by seeing her first love as Larry looks on, baffled.

If you’re wondering why Joan and Larry look like Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller, it’s because, in this world (perhaps following “Titanic” logic), everyone reverts to the happiest version of themselves. Randolph’s AC Anna notes that this explains all the 10-year-old boys – and the lack of teenagers.

Joan is understandably flustered by the choice between her steady, neurotic husband and the passionate first love she never got to grow old with. If there’s a gripe, it’s that the script is slow to suggest that choosing neither man is also an option.

Olsen channels a mid-century Diane Keaton, an old soul in a young body. In one delightful scene, she and Larry dissolve into hysterics as they rediscover the joy of being able to squat and jump again. Teller is surprisingly wonderful as the underdog — an egoless performance that earns empathy. Luke is less fully drawn, still the young soldier frozen in time, though Turner plays him with Redford-esque charm. He bats away compliments and insists he’s “not perfect,” never imagining Joan might not choose him.

And there’s that pesky choice: romantic, depressing, limited — all at once. Yet the film’s committed, clever simplicity is satisfying, a contained crowd-pleaser that, thankfully, does not go on for eternity.

[Abridged]

“Eternity,” an A24 release in theaters Wednesday, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for “sexual content and some strong language.” Running time: 112 minutes. ★★★★