Somewhere down the line, every heterosexual woman or a queer man has at some point got to ask themselves, what is it about men that disgusts and yet tantalizes so in equal measure?
There are more male serial killers, male sociopaths, and let’s face it, more male bastards than there are females. It’s science. Of course, the hyperlinks can be clicked, but does one really need to read a Psychology Today article on their phone somewhere in between this review and swiping on the dating apps?
But the premise of heteronormative romantic comedies runs: A girl meets a boy, falls in love with him, compromises her whole being just a bit for him, and he asks her to marry him. Happily ever after, end of story, everyone is good and great. Right, if you’re dating, or have been on a date at any time in the 21st century, that is not how things go, especially with situation ships, hook-up culture, and too many options being more than ever.
Cazzie David, writer and director of “I Love You Forever” alongside her partner Elisa Kalani, is the daughter of the creator of “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Larry David. Previously, Kalani and David created the critically acclaimed web-series “Eighty-Sixed” together.
The script for “I Love You Forever” cannot be categorized as an erotic thriller, although it combines elements of “Fatal Attraction” and “Promising Young Woman.” I Love You Forever” appears as a documentary for those familiar with the situation and as a stalker horror film for those who are not.
The film stars Sofia Black-Delia as law student Mackenzie, who has a ‘friend’ with benefits ‘Raymond Cham Jr. as her only real romantic interest. A head honcho where Mackenzie is present “bestie” David’s birthday party and other friends (Jon Rudnitsky) are introduced. Mackenzie meets Flynn played by Ray Nicholson, a narcissistic journalist who uses grand gestures and other gifts to win her affection.
But with everything one questions how fast it is all moving for those with the foresight. While Mackenzie keeps saying that Finn is such a nice guy and a caring person, his endless “checking in” begins to feel more controlling than caring, and his softer personality shoes later become a weapon that he uses to manipulate and gaslight Mackenzie into doubting herself not only as a partner but as an individual.
As Mackenzie’s friends become more worried about her, Finn starts to engage in emotional abuse by restricting her contact with other people until she’s an empty vessel. The only problem with “I Love You Forever” is where you think this is headed: It is not so much a slant build up but rather the aggressive and controlling ways of Finn becoming part of the daily activities of Mackenzie. Fighting up to four am in the morning hours and being in a classroom in a daze, even searching for a hotel staff security to help her escape the clutches of Finn’s room all these are characteristics of a distressed woman although Mackenzie wants to believe the opposite. I mean come on, her partner was sweet enough to call her to check how her day was ruining. The forceful love in the start seemed a bit much when even pushed into the situation but anyway, for others, it would be too much or exaggerated. The brutal fact of the matter is that it is not.
It is true, if falsely, that Finn seems to be exhibiting American Psycho tendencies, snipping away at the jewelry of exes as mementos, a behavior associated with a psychopathic killer. Yet, with the help of Nicholson’s boyish grin, which he got from his real dad over an actor by the name of Jack Nicholson, the rom com aspect of this unnatural normalcy in this horror love story comes across as more real. And as Nicholson manages to top it all by convincing the audiences as if they Finn efforts to sell himself to Mackenzie. It is not the case Mackenzie is so much handicapped not to see his imperfections, it is just that he is very convincing or even more effectively employing harsh emotional violence over her.
With a spirit of women-supremacy, a trait that is notoriously despised by Finn’s character, Alden Ehrenreich was able to deliver in Fair Play exactly the kind of woman hating arc that is expected from a male character in modern times. This is where it is interesting to note that the two films are thematically distinct and dangerous in their narratives yet are rooted in the presence of sound commentary on contemporary life in southern American culture. Included in the three, are female directors, David and Elana, and the writer director of Fair Play, Chloe Domont who all decided to make their feature debuts based on the subject of toxic relationships. This has to be a call to arms otherwise we are unsure of how else to respond to it.
Speaking of the lead star Black Delia, for those who have not watched “Single Drunk Female,” please find the time to check this charmingly twisted sitcom on Hulu that was snatched away after only two seasons. And then please come back and agree with me that Black-Delia is now one of the most trending actresses at the moment. Just as Camila Mendes has made it public that she stands by her space by executive producing the smart genre rom com “Upgraded” and starring another film “Música” which was selected in SXSW, Black-Delia is also showing us a new wave of sarcastic, loveable relatable stars. There is something to Black-Delia that reminds of an Emma Stone from “Easy A,” and together with Nicholson, “I Love You Forever” seems to be too mild as an opening for these two stars.
And the audience can be more of the film as a safe space for the spectators who are feeling represented. “I Love You Forever” is not without its flaws (it can be argued that some jokes miss the mark and some scenes are overly ridiculous), but its most significant contribution to culture is the articulation of a suffering that is all too often silent for the fear of shame and blame. The feature is produced by Oscar winner Diablo Cody, and such a feminist movie fits in with her body of work. Mackenzie may take some time to recover but ‘I Love You Forever provides relief to people who have been impacted by the sentiments and feel “I have gone through this; something has to be done.” That’s why we cherish the film forever.
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