Forever My Girl: Beautiful Setting, Sappy Story
After being gone for a decade a country star returns home to the love he left behind. KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror, Kimbirly O. comments, “The setting is beautiful, a fictitious city in the south where everyone knows each other. The southern charm is palpable and warm. I was hoping for a solid romantic story about young love. What was delivered is the very element of sap, much like what is broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, complete with a happy ending.” Abraham F. adds, “There are many plot holes such as when Liam Page goes to his hometown because his best friend dies in a drunk driving accident and their history is never mentioned. It just seems like a plot device.” See their full reviews below.
Forever My Girl
By Abraham F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12
Forever My Girl is a romance movie based on a book by Heidi McLaughlin, a New York Times bestselling author, but that doesn’t stop this movie from being one of the most atrocious movies I have ever seen. There are many plot holes such as when Liam Page goes to his hometown because his best friend dies in a drunk driving accident and their history is never mentioned. It just seems like a plot device. Another thing that bothered me is Liam’s relationship with his ex-fiancé’s brother (the brother of the girl who has jilted), yet when Liam returns they act like best friends.
The storyline is about Liam Page, a country singer that left his fiancé, Josie on their wedding day to go on tour. Eight years later, his friend dies in a car accident and Liam decides to go back home. He stays with his dad and everyone ignores him, because he left Josie at the altar. He finds out that Josie was pregnant when he left and he has a kid, so he decides to be the father he was meant to be, but faces criticism from Josie’s brother.
Two of the main characters are up and coming actors. Alex Roe who plays Liam Page was born in June, 1990 in London, England as Alexander Michael Roe-Brown. He known for his role as Even Walker on The 5th Wave. Jessica Rothe, who plays Josie is most famous for appearing in Happy Death Day and La La Land. Their portrayal of the characters in this film seem too fake and shallow. Roe didn’t even seem to know how to play guitar for his role and Rothe is almost invisible.
My favorite character is Billy (Abby Ryder Fortson), Liam and Josie’s 10-year-old girl. In one scene Liam brings her a teddy bear and she says, “I liked them when I was four.” That felt like something a kid would say at that age. This movie is her biggest role so far and she stands out from the other actors.
The message of this movie is that it’s not easy being a parent, but in the end it’s worth it. I recommend this for ages 12 to 18. There is some drinking, but otherwise, it’s pretty family friendly. I give this film 1 out of 5 stars. It opens in theaters January, 19 2018 so, go check it out.
Forever My Girl
By Kimbirly O., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror
If you love a love story, especially in the vein of a Nicolas Sparks novel, this film is for you. The film is based on a novel written by a woman, Heidi McLaughlin and the screenplay is written and directed by a woman, Bethany Ashton Wolf.
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orever My Girl depicts a man who left his bride at the altar. This does not seem like a story any woman wants to tell. Given the marketing mentions Nicholas Sparks and seeking to attract his audiences, it tells me a lot about the studio’s lack of faith in the film.
I cannot lie, Forever My Girl did not set the bar high for a committed relationship, nor the reality of parenting. Liam (Alex Roe), the lead male character, left his beloved fiancé Josie (Jessica Rothe), at the altar to seek fame and fortune as a country singer. His success as a musician is colored with drug and alcohol abuse. After a decade on the road, a funeral in the quaint hometown of the country star brings him back in time to a life he led and seemed to love. The ease with which the lead actors fall back into rhythm with each other appears far-fetched, maximized by Liam learning he has an 8-year-old child he was never told of, Billy (Abby Ryder Fortson), who is by far the star of this film. Her sweetness and snarky delivery of lines mix to deliver a fantastic performance by a child actor.
The setting is beautiful, a fictitious city in the south where everyone knows each other. The southern charm is palpable and warm. I was hoping for a solid romantic story about young love. What was delivered is the very element of sap, much like what is broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, complete with a happy ending.
I give this film 3 of 5 stars for the casting of rising stars, charming location and music. This film will appeal to tween and teen audiences, ages 10 to 18. I caution younger viewing due to drug and alcohol use and abuse. It opens in theaters January 19, 2018 so, check it out.
