Billy Wilder served as our guiding light: Screenwriter Patrick Cunnane and producer Trevor White discuss Eternity – Exclusive Interview.

      Robert Kojder speaks with Patrick Cunnane, the screenwriter of Eternity, and producer Trevor White.

      Chosen as the official closing night film for the Chicago International Film Festival, Eternity is an inventive mix of genres, combining romantic comedy and drama, set in a bureaucratically envisioned afterlife.

      The narrative follows Larry (Miles Teller), who finds himself in the afterlife after the passing of his elderly counterpart in the real world. In this afterlife, individuals appear as the happiest versions of themselves upon death, and Larry is initially excited to reunite with his wife, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), with whom he had a large family. The only hiccup is that Joan’s first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who died in war, has been waiting for her for decades. In this realm also exist “eternities,” distinctive paradise worlds where one chooses to dwell indefinitely, but switching between them is not permitted. With Larry and Luke at odds, this complicates Joan’s situation as she must decide between the two men for her eternity in the afterlife.

      Joining us were screenwriter Patrick Cunnane and producer Trevor White, who collaborated closely on the project. While I must admit that certain aspects of the film frustrated me—particularly the constant quarreling between Larry and Luke—there is undeniable value in the creativity that went into the afterlife's world-building and the film’s bold concept. It’s also refreshing to see adult romances making a return to theaters.

      Although I can’t say I found the movie enjoyable, I do suggest giving it a chance (especially during Thanksgiving weekend while waiting for the turkey to cook). Ironically, this conversation not only deepened my appreciation for the film's ambitions, but also turned out to be one of my favorite interviews this year. Enjoy my discussion with Patrick and Trevor as we explore the captivating narrative hook, the creation of the afterlife and eternities, their inspirations, and constructing an appealing cast:

      Congratulations on the film and its festival screenings. How does it feel to be selected as the official closing night film for the Chicago International Film Festival?

      Trevor White: It’s an honor. This festival showcases incredible films every year and attracts fantastic talent. Chicago is truly a remarkable city, so this is special for us.

      Regarding the love triangle… I was intrigued by the idea of someone being reunited and possibly experiencing the life they never had with their husband who died in war. This is a common trope in films across various genres, but this one flips it, creating a moving concept. Can you discuss how that plot point developed?

      Patrick Cunnane: It’s amusing; this idea has been in my mind for a long time, even before I entered the entertainment industry. I’ve always wondered what the afterlife would be like and if it exists. I thought that if it does, human problems would exist there too. This seemed to present a unique dilemma for that setting. I reached out to Trevor and his brother and producing partner Tim, and I pitched them the concept you mentioned: a woman, who has loved twice—briefly and for a long time—arrives in the afterlife, with both husbands waiting. What choice does she make? We enjoyed contemplating the possibilities and the questions that would arise from that scenario. This idea had been in my mind for a decade.

      TW: Pat, Tim, and I share a fondness for the great romantic comedies from the ’90s, late ’80s, and early 2000s—the works of Richard Curtis, Nora Ephron, Rob Reiner, and Jim Brooks. That’s what we aimed to create here. We felt that such films were not being produced anymore, and we hoped our movie could evoke the lightness and warmth of those stories while also conveying something meaningful to a wide audience. That was our guiding principle throughout the project, focusing on being genuine rather than overly abstract.

      PC: We aimed not to take ourselves too seriously. Our goal was to present a question that could be both fun and thought-provoking. From the beginning, we discussed our love for romantic comedies and aimed to create one that people would want to experience in theaters. We are grateful to have teamed up with A24 on this project.

      I definitely sensed the influence of Richard Curtis while watching this. Can you elaborate on your inspirations for the conception of the afterlife?

      PC: The realms of politics and bureaucracy have always struck me as both amusing and frustrating, and I wanted to incorporate that from the start. Our co-writer/director, David Freyne, had a brilliant vision for what all of this would look like. He brought incredible creativity to envisioning the different “Eternities” and the overall junction concept, considering Master of Life as a significant influence.

      TW: For David, his major inspirations were A Matter of Life and Death and Billy Wilder. We also discussed Broadcast News and drew