I Love You Forever

"I Love You Forever" begins with a couple in bed. However, the guy is a total d*** who only wants sex from the woman and doesn't seem to give a darn about her even though there are hints the woman would like more than just late night booty calls. The woman is McKenzie, played by the always good Sofia Black-D'Elia, and she is a law student. She has a quirky roommate and a close guy friend, and at a birthday party for her roommate she meets Finn, played by Ray Nicholson. Finn is a rich, good-looking, ultra successful man who is the lead news anchor for a local TV station. He begins to smoothly woo her and give her gifts and before long they're head over heels with each other. But he suddenly starts to get very needy and clingy and we watch as the relationship unfolds...

I think this was intended to be a deep story about emotional issues in a relationship, but it doesn't succeed. None of it rings true, the dialog sounds like it was written by a Diablo Cody wanna-be (and I was a little surprised to see Diablo listed at the end as a producer!). Finn gets very needy and it never makes sense -- he's rich, good looking, clearly very smooth and confident around women, so his sudden personality change doesn't make sense. But worst of all, Black-D'Elia makes McKenzie incredibly appealing and her repeatedly making incomprehensible decisions is wildly annoying. I mean, literally the last hour of this film is us screaming at the TV, "What are you doing, McKenzie? What are you thinking of?" The movie means to make Finn the "bad guy" and we certainly dislike him, but he never comes off as more than just weird and annoying.

I love supporting small indie films, so it sort of pains me to speak ill of "I Love You Forever." You could definitely do worse, but I suspect that most people just won't find it an entertaining way to spend 90 minutes.

...please end it ASAP. Whether it's your current relationship or that of a friend or family member, it is unhealthy. At the very least, both parties need therapy. If it's not your own relationship, please warn them and/or recommend this movie.

THE MOVIE (tw: abuse/dv): This felt a little too familiar for me, as someone that has experienced emotional abuse, but imo that's a testament to the great writing/directing. I was very impressed by how well they portrayed this problematic personality. It's so important to spotlight stories like these, so that people can recognize problematic personalities and emotional abuse before it escalates. I love the directors' take on this issue and their insistence to get this story out there despite the adversity. We need more movies like this. Thank you.

To the people calling it a bad movie due to the high intensity, unrealistic story, or lack of plot: please just be thankful that you have not experienced a person like this. You can be aware of the warning signs and help others from experiencing this trauma.

Greetings again from the darkness. So, may we interest you in a Valentine's Day movie about an abusive relationship doomed to failure? What if I told you that it's meant to be funny, but it's actually quite depressing and dark? Cazzie David (Larry David's daughter) and Elisa Kalani are co-writers and co-directors on this film rumored to be 'inspired' by Ms. David's relationship with a certain former SNL comedian (the one known for dating a steady stream of beautiful women).

MacKenzie (Sofia Black-D'Elia, "Your Honor", "The Night Of") is a law student, and when the film opens, she's in bed with Jake (Raymond Cham Jr, THE IDEA OF YOU, 2024). We quickly realize this is a booty call ... although it doesn't appear that MacKenzie recognizes it as such. Or perhaps, more accurately, she hopes for more from Jake. This is merely the first painful example - and there are many more to come - of MacKenzie displaying very little self-confidence or self-worth, despite being lovely, intelligent, and quite capable of participating in flirty and witty banter.

Rounding out the trio of good friends are Ally (the film's writer/director Cazzie David) and Lucas (Jon Rudnitsky, HOME AGAIN, 2017). When together, these buds have a strong bond and whip-smart dialogue. The movie is at its best during these times. Things shift quickly when MacKenzie meets Finn (Ray Nicholson, Jack's son) at Ally's birthday bash. Finn seems like the perfect guy for her. He's a news reporter who can match her flirtatious ways, and delivers the most romantic first date one could imagine. The early stages go smoothly, and the weeks click by as they grow closer.

Of course, things (and men) are never as perfect as they seem. Finn begins to throw these manipulative tantrums that, frankly, are quite frightening. MacKenzie recognizes the behavior as unacceptable, yet is so intent on keeping 'Mr. Right', that she continues to work through his wicked (and bipolar) ways. Ally and Lucas try to be supportive for her, but Finn demands so much attention, that friendships and law school become after thoughts. It's infuriating to watch, and it's likely that I'm simply too old to understand why anyone would put up with Finn. Sure, partners are never as perfect as they initially seem, but hopefully few turn out to be as psychotic as Finn. The filmmakers have delivered a masterclass on what not to subject yourself to in a relationship ... it's just questionable whether this is the right message to deliver on Valentine's Day. On second thought, maybe that's the perfect time.

Opening in theaters on February 14, 2025.

Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani direct and write this dramatic comedy about psychological abuse in relationships. They do so in a dark and ironic way-daring, yes, but perhaps not entirely successful.

Starring Sofia Black-D'Ellia, Ray Nicholson, Jon Rudnitsky, and Cazzie David herself, it follows a disillusioned law student who plunges into what appears to be the true romantic relationship she hoped for. Things slowly change when they begin to discover the true personality behind her ideal man.

The film is daring and poignant, perhaps its greatest strength. However, when it shifts to a deeper drama, it takes on greater force within what seemed to be just another romantic comedy. The decisions are risky and succeed in delivering something we weren't entirely expecting, but in trying to contain its own scale, its final decisions about what we'd been presented with end up leaving us somewhat uncomfortable. The point is understood, but perhaps as viewers, we're not entirely prepared for that sudden shift. In any case, this is a very well-directed and well-written film, which makes it easy to follow. Although we can't overlook the fact that it has flaws that weaken its power, the final result is ultimately quite pleasing.

It's a film that relies heavily on its two leads, especially Sofia Black-D'Ellia, who fully embodies the nuances of her character and the anguish she occasionally experiences within. Ray Nicholson, meanwhile, proves he's the son of the great Jack, and talent runs in his veins, especially when it comes to a role like the one he delivers.

An interesting offering that has some heartfelt moments and others that are somewhat forced, but all in all, it offers a decent film worth giving a chance. It's sharp and ironic, an interesting combination, in times when everything is perhaps more sensitive, but the film's journey to reveal the toxicity of relationships is appreciated.

There are so many red flags right from the start. It's a little too obvious. The two other characters are fine in their roles and I don't mind the main actress but the villain is a pathetic sociopath in the most obvious ways, it's not even a movie. You failed with the plot. It was all there and you messed it up director.