“I Love You Forever” starts off like a typical romantic comedy, which makes its dramatic tonal shift even more disarming. This first feature from co-directors and co-writers Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani (who also has a supporting role in the film) shows a ton of promise, and the pair make a bold statement that authentically captures the female experience when it comes to toxic relationships.
Mackenzie (Sofia Black-D’Elia) is a twentysomething law student who lives with her former college besties Ally (David) and Lucas (Jon Rudnitsky). She’s unhappy with her current relationship status and non-committal hookups, but that all changes the night she meets Finn (Ray Nicholson) at a local bar. He seems like the ideal guy: smart, sweet, successful, romantic, handsome…he checks all the perfect boyfriend boxes. But as their relationship grows and the starry-eyed phase wanes, Mackenzie begins to notice some red flags that she can’t ignore forever.
David and Kalani have written a particularly authentic character in Mackenzie, and they nail the true emotions and reactions of a young woman dealing with a toxic relationship. Black-D’Elia captures it perfectly in her performance too, especially as she realizes that things aren’t healthy for her, yet she is torn and doesn’t want to give up on a “great guy.”
The characters here are instantly likable, especially as they’re introduced with an organic humor early on. Lucas and Ally are wonderfully supportive roommates and friends, and you’ll even be charmed by Finn at first, too. It’s when his serious abandonment issues come to light that things turn Mackenzie’s romantic world from happy and exciting to a living nightmare.
It is quite unsettling to watch the abuse, especially as Mackenzie begins to realize this “romance” isn’t okay. Finn is a master manipulator who is controlling and demanding. He is unreasonable, doing everything from disrespecting all boundaries and gaslighting, to making angry calls, instigating hostile arguments, and eventually dropping the bomb that when his girlfriend doesn’t text back immediately, it makes him want to kill himself. Major yikes.
A highly disturbing thing to consider is that many women will relate to this film in one way or another, be it a close friend, family member, or even themselves who have experienced a similar relationship. A comforting thought is that hopefully the movie will reach a large audience and show women that if they need help, they CAN get out of an abusive situation.
“I Love You Forever” delivers an authentic portrayal of an emotionally abusive, toxic relationship told from the female perspective, and does so in an entertaining way. This is unlike any other film, and kudos to David and Kalani for tackling the subject with just the right amount of dark humor.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 