You Can Live Forever

I didn't know what the movie was about beforehand, thought it'd be a forgettable teen romcom. You might connect more deeply if you're Jehovah's Witness or lesbian audiences, but even if you aren't, you can find familiarities with pretty much any religious community, and a good love story is a good love story, regardless. It does have its fair share of cheesiness and cliches, like the classic meet-cute, locking eyes across a crowded room, albeit set in a church. But who doesn't appreciate a bit of cheesy romance? The story is quite compelling, and the characters share a genuine connection and chemistry. The beauty and heartbreak in Marike's face, as she navigated love, pain, and unwavering faith, were truly moving. Jaime's struggle as a non-believer and a lesbian in a close-knit Jehovah's Witness community. This film was a quiet and compassionate portrayal, it's relatively short, yet it took its time to build the romantic interest. It might not be best selling point for Jehovah's Witness, but I loved how Marike held onto her faith, especially the line, "I can believe enough for the both of us," which captured her emotional dilemma of choosing between her so unwavering faith and her forbidden first love. I love that there isn't a clear antagonist among the main characters. It's clear that their situation couldn't lead to a happy ending: if they had run away, Marike would have felt the loss of leaving her faith behind, and if they had stayed, their pretense would have taken an emotional toll, as you can't keep up a charade 'cause you can't be sneaky links with the love of your life forever lol. It was what it was, and I believe it was written and told in a believable and unpretentious manner, allowing you to empathize with the characters' choices and the challenges they faced in their environment. While it may not be a mind-blowing masterpiece, could see why some might not like it, but it made me feel mushy inside and left a lasting impact for me. June Laporte and Anwen O'Driscoll portrayed their characters exceptionally well. Also loved the title's meaning. This movie felt like a little quiet hidden gem, perhaps better off unnoticed by the masses.

Haven't been moved by a film in such a long time as much as I have by this Canadian romantic drama. I usually wince or just roll my eyes when it comes to romantic films. But this one really hit me in the feels. Well directed and writeen by duo Sarah Watts and Mark Slutsky. After the sudden death of her father, Jaime Buckley is sent by her mother to live with her aunt Beth and uncle Jean-François in a small town in Quebec, home to a devout Jehovah's Witness congregation. Jaime is reluctantly convinced to attend the congregation's meeting, where she catches the eye of Marike, the daughter of the congregation's leader, Frank. I definitely think this film is elevated by it's two lead performances from Anwen O'Driscoll as Jaime and June Laporte as Marike. They have a ton of chemistry and both work well together. O'Driscoll has the more time on screen but Laporte has the meatier role I feel. I don't know how people will feel about the ending. But I thought it was heartbreaking in a way but some will see it as hopeful. Marike is married with a kid but looked seriously unhappy. Jaime clearly isn't over Marike and probably French Canadian woman she was sleeping with near the end wasn't her only booty call. But it feels like Jamie will sadly probably be bit on the side while Marike plays happy families to keep up appearances. But the ending for sure will cause a lot of debate if you think it's a hopeful or sad ending for Jaimie especially. But I thought Overall it's a film I could see was very strong and well told.