Yeah romance films! They haven’t exactly been my cup of tea but Happy Death Day has made me a fan of Jessica Rothe so I’m curious to see her in this.
Synopsis: Forever My Girl tells the story of country music superstar Liam Page who left his bride, Josie, at the altar choosing fame and fortune instead. However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised. When he unexpectedly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his high school best friend, Liam is suddenly faced with the consequences of all that he left behind. (Elevation Pictures)
Starring: Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, and John Benjamin Hickey
Writer: Bethany Ashton Wolf
Director: Bethany Ashton Wolf
Rating: PG (Canada/United States)
Running Time: 108mins
Trailer:
For showtimes and more, check out Forever My Girl on movietimes.com.
Now films like these are not going to be for everyone as their appeal are limited to those who enjoy romance films. If you’re not a fan of romance films, this one will likely not change your mind. In terms of romance films, there is absolutely nothing new whatsoever about this one which doesn’t come as that much of a surprise.
Based on the book of the same name, the story is about a young country music singer named Liam (Roe) who returns home to the life he left behind including a woman named Josie (Rothe) who he left at the altar. The inevitable redemption story became rather predictable from here and fans of romance films should have an even easier time with it. The way it checks off cliche after cliche makes it more of a chore to watch. It’s over sentimentality was so cheesy that the fumes will make your eyes roll back into your skull.
Even if the story may not be there, the leads can often overcome it but this was not the case here. Both Liam and Josie had no chemistry at all which made their relationship not the most believable to watch. Because of the focus on Liam, Josie was underdeveloped as a character. This made her motivations feel hollow as the film passed on the time she spent between being left at the altar and when Liam returned. The best part of the film was Josie and Liam’s seven-year-old daughter Billy (Abby Ryder Fortson) who served as sort of a comic relief with dialog that sounded older than her age.
Despite the mediocre story and the lack of chemistry between the leads, the acting was okay for the most part. Roe, playing a country singer, actually had a decent singing voice but he struggled to carry all of Liam’s emotions and struggle. Rothe was okay with what she had. Fortson was great as Billy, making her feel natural and not annoying which isn’t always the easiest for child actors.
Overall, this was a mediocre and derivative romance film that will only appeal to romance film fans and others will be forced to endure overly-sentimental cheese that will surely induce eye-rolling.
Score: 4.5/10
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.