| Sometimes distributors and PR firms describe films in ways that don’t exactly fit. But that’s not the case with I Love You Forever. “A subversive romantic comedy gone wrong” about an emotionally abusive relationship - is so spot on it’s brilliant. I couldn’t write anything better so I am borrowing their phrase. This is a good movie, but in an incredibly painful way. For anybody who has been in such a relationship, heed a warning, because this is likely to be traumatic revisiting it. | | 2025
Directed by: Cazzie David, Elisa Kalani
Screenplay by: Cazzie David, Elisa Kalani
Starring: Sofia Black-D'Elia, Ray Nicholson
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Mackenzie (Sofia Black D’Elia) is in a not-a-real-relationship with Jake; he’s a bit of an asshole so when she finds somebody new, it’s enchanting. Finn (Ray Nicholson) is perfect, but also perfect for Mackenzie, they share a few quirks and it’s easy for her to be herself. They even told me before I hit play that this is a subversive romantic comedy gone wrong, and I was still tricked. It was a perfect romantic comedy opening. That doesn’t last long.
Early on, I was trying to understand why her friends weren’t being more apprehensive and trying to get her out of the relationship. But then I realized those early warning signs are only going to be obvious to those of us who lived through this. Her friends don’t know that anything is wrong yet. But even more so, Mackenzie hasn’t figured out that there is anything wrong yet.
It’s a look at an explosion of a relationship and how it completely consumes and destroys an otherwise smart and ambitious young woman. She’s in law school, hoping for a job at city hall when she graduates. Her best friends and roommates Ally (Cazzie David) and Lucas (Jon Rudnitsky) went to undergrad with her and are similarly young, inexperienced and still making their way in the world. They provide some comedy for the film. Which is an impressive feat considering how trauma-inducing this film is. They keep the film light enough to keep it from drowning.
Some aspects that really resonate with me are how it comes down to strangers to help her get out. Those who know her eventually realize there’s something wrong but don’t know how to help. The ending is frustrating since Mackenzie is still under his control and hasn’t fully realized it yet. And we don’t get that satisfaction of having her back in control of her own life. The film wanted to end on a funny note instead, but it's more traumatic than it is funny.
I Love You Forever is mercifully short. This will be a tough watch for most people, anybody far enough removed from their own experiences should be able to handle it. These characters are at least one generation younger than me and they have it worse. So it’s not a great sign for society, but awareness helps. Even though this film isn’t necessarily about awareness, as they said, it’s just a subversive romantic comedy.
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