I Love You Forever

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.

As "I Love You Forever" (2024 release; 89 min.) opens, Mackenzie attend the birthday party of her friend Ally, and there she strikes up a conversation with a guy named Finn. Finn is super-charming, and Mackenzie is intrigued. At this point we are 10 min into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is written and directed by Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani (both from "Eighty-Sixed"). And for good measure Cazzie also pays the role of Ally. Without going into any of the plot's details, the movie starts slowly and then when the relationship starts to sour, the transformation is as quickly as it is disturbing. Ray Nicholson (son of Jack) is outstanding as Finn, playing a deeply dislikeable character (his dad will approve!). During some of these scenes, I thought to myself "this is in essence a "feel-bad" movie, but it's so well made!" To be honest, I think Ray Nicholson needs to diversify upcoming roles, as otherwise he risks getting stereotyped in a same or similar role. Please note that Diabolo Cody is credited as a Producer, and that makes perfect sense to me.

"I Love You Forever" premiered at the 2024 SXSW film fest, yes over a year ago. I don't recall whether it played in US theaters at all. Regardless, it's now streaming on Netflix, where I caught it the other night. The movie is currently rated 80% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels a bit generous to me. It is a "feel-bad" movie after all. If you like another take on "modern relationships", I'd readily suggest you check it out and draw your own conclusion.

Displays the torture an unhealthy relationship will put you through. The overwhelming neediness this guy shows is scary and extremely sad. She is in a prison with multiple communication devices on hand and his 1000s of texts and calls an hour. It by default is a horror movie. His psychosis is on full display. Knowing someone who went through something like this gave me flashbacks. The way they slow burn the lunacy is pitch perfect. Watch this film. It's horrific and great at the same time.

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.

"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.