Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
A sweet romance is all about family, faith; some drinks.
Videos and photos
Based on 4 opinions of parents
What is the story?
FOREVER MY GIRL opens on the fateful day when 19-year-old Liam Page (Alex Roe) leaves his fiancee/high school sweetheart, Josie (Jessica Roth), at the altar. Eight years later, Liam is a hard-drinking, commitment-phobic country music superstar who has never returned to his small Louisiana hometown of St. Augustine. Then, while in New Orleans for a gig, the local news alerts Liam to the tragic fact that his best friend from high school, now a local politician, has died in a car accident. Liam feels compelled to return home, where he runs into his father (John Benjamin Hickey) — the town preacher — and, of course, Josie, who now has a young daughter. Abruptly abandoning his concert tour, Liam decides to stay and catch up with his (estranged) father. And he soon discovers that Josie’s premature 7-year-old daughter Billy (Abby Ryder Forston) is his child. Liam works to meet Billy and win back Josie’s heart, but Josie’s older brother Jake (Tyler Riggs) reminds Liam that not everyone has forgotten or forgiven his abandonment.
Is it good?
This sweet faith-based romance — which is even more teen-friendly than the Heidi McLaughlin novel it’s based on — benefits from charming performances and a notable country soundtrack. Unlike many romances that follow the drama of the fall in love, Forever my girl is the story of a second chance between two people who never quite fell out love. Liam and Josie have a lot of emotional baggage to sort out and a child to put first, but it’s clear from the first time they see each other that they’re going to reunite — leaving their wedding day and international country music career all but forgotten. The stakes are never that high, but it’s satisfying enough to see the characters achieve their happiness… in the same way that Hallmark Christmas romances or Lifetime movies are predictable and safe, but still satisfying.
An unexpected difference from the original book (which was the first in the series) is that the filmmakers injected a healthy dose of faith-based content and themes into the story — to the point that viewers unfamiliar with the book might assume it’s Christian. fiction. The source material isn’t spiritual (Liam’s dad isn’t a pastor, the church isn’t the central gathering place for the town, etc.), but the faith-based aspects actually work here. What we end up with is a romance, a father-daughter love story (although it’s pretty hard to believe that Liam has never heard of Billy, not even from his own father) and a prodigal son story. Forever my girl is one of those rare dramas that is clean enough for older tweens and younger tweens and well made enough for romance-loving parents. If you want to be sizzling and swoon-worthy, watch it Outlanderbut for a light romance full of messages, this is worth a watch.
Talk to your kids about…
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Families can discuss how Forever my girlThe romantic story of this film works with more Christian themes. Do you think a film that is not based on Christian fiction needs faith-based elements? Why or why not?
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Who are the role models? Forever my girl? What character strengths do they exhibit? How does Liam learn humility?
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How is the drink displayed? Are there any real consequences? Why is it important?
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If you have read the book, what do you think of the changes in the story? Does it make the film more or less suitable for younger viewers?
Did we miss something about diversity?
Research shows a connection between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews, which will be published continuously. You can help us help children