Forever My Girl - A Movie Review

Sometimes you have to let go and walk on the wild side.

Forever My Girl is a 2018 film based on the novel by Heidi McLaughlin. Liam abandons his wedding to Josie out of fear. A decade later, Liam returns to his hometown where he reunites with his ex-fiance who lets him in on a secret.

Forever My Girl is a love story but not your typical romance film. It didn’t take the sappy route which is what I thought. I have been waiting a while to watch this film and I finally had the chance to see it. Forever My Girl is a heartwarming film that talks about change.

Jessica Rothe is well-known for her remarkable performance as Tree in Happy Death Day. I couldn’t believe I was watching the same person! That’s acting for you. Rothe is incredible. Though occasionally slipping in her Southern accent, Rothe skillfully conveys the pain, anger, and eventual forgiveness that define Josie's journey.

I had mixed opinions about Alex Roe’s performance because he was flat in some of his deliveries. Liam has not made the best decisions but he wants to be better. Liam stays true to his heart while going a bit far in forgiveness. I laughed when he bought a gigantic teddy bear.

Abby Ryder Fortson is a talented child actress. I just saw her in Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret as the protagonist. After seeing her performance here, Ryder is a fantastic actress! I cannot wait to see what else she does. Billy is both precious and snarky. Fortsen was tremendous in the role.

The best supporting character award goes to Liam’s agent, Sam (Peter Cambor). I like how the actor played the role and he exhibited a positive example about agents. More credits include Travis Tritt, Gillian Vigman, Judith Hoag, Tyler Riggs, and John Benjamin Hickey.

The small town of Saint Augustine, Louisiana plays as its own character. Your hometown is so important. As much as you want to escape it holds the best memories and the first friends you made.

Bethany Ashton Wolf enforced a different take on life on Forever My Girl. I didn’t think the film would be about Liam’s relationship with his daughter. It gives the story more depth, adding a new testament about love. The screenplay balances moments of heartache with humor, creating a narrative that resonates with audiences on an emotional level.

The film is predictable at times and some of the characters are flanderized. The pacing occasionally stumbles in the runtime. It follows similar tropes of a rom-com but adds more to the premise. Forever My Girl is a sincere film. One of the sweetest scenes is Liam and Billy playing the guitar together. The trio regrows the bond and gets to know each other.

Forever My Girl makes a good point about the music industry. Don’t let stardom get the better of you. Keep writing songs that hold meaning. The film's country music soundtrack adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story and reflects the film's themes of love and second chances.

Only you can change you. Forgiveness is the main theme in Forever My Girl. It may take time but learn to forgive someone. Change doesn’t happen in a snap. Holding grudges against someone is not healthy. Learn to talk things out in a suitable way.

Take a look at Forever My Girl streaming on Netflix. The film succeeds at delivering a satisfying experience for all audiences. It’s a good romantic comedy if you are looking for something new to watch.