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Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week.

Forever My Girl
Starring: Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, John Benjamin Hickey, and Abby Ryder Fortson
Synopsis: Grief can manifest in fascinating ways, even years after the original event. That's one of the ideas tackled in "Forever My Girl," a new romance drama that opened on January 19. This month has seen a number of films competing for Academy Awards finally getting a wide release, and a number of action and horror films with mass appeal. But "Forever My Girl" is a sweet little film about a boy, a girl, and their long road to happiness. It provides a bit of nice counter-programming to much of what's currently in theaters. The film is based on the novel from Heidi McLaughlin, and focuses on Liam Page (Roe). He's one of the biggest stars in country music, but he's not happy. In fact, he's lost. And when he catches news footage that his best friend from growing up has died, Liam bails on his life and heads to his hometown, a place he hasn't been in eight years. Turns out Liam isn't a star or a hero in his small hometown, largely due to his own making. While staying with his father, local minister Brian (Hickey), Liam discovers that the girl he left at the alter to pursue his music career, Josie (Rothe), is the one the town supports. And it also turns out that Josie has a seven-year-old daughter, Billy (Fortson), that Liam didn't even know about. The revelations of the daughter and life he left behind might just be enough to help Liam grow up and push past the issues that caused him to run away in the first place. Watching the trailer for this movie, it would be easy to assume this was a Hallmark movie writ large on the big screen. But that's not fair. This is a more intricate story, a more fascinating film, and is buoyed by some good performances. I thought Rothe was a star watching her in the October release "Happy Death Day." She was so good in the lead role that it elevated the material. She brings a similar grace, charm, and strength to this role. Also great is Fortson, who has some of the best lines and adds a lot to the humor and charm of the film. In addition, I appreciated some of the depth of the story and the way this film was put together. It was a sweet, engaging theater going experience, one that provides a welcome respite from some of the heavier stories currently circulating in the theaters.
Rating: PG for thematic elements including drinking, and for language.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, January 26 — "Maze Runner: The Death Cure," "Hostiles"

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