Forever is a South African romantic drama movie directed by Willem van der Merwe and released in 2016. The story is about two childhood sweethearts, Maryke and Johan, who are torn apart by family circumstances and later reunited twenty years later. This movie is a celebration of love, family, and second chances. The story begins in the 1990s when Maryke and Johan are teenagers living in a small town in South Africa. They are madly in love and inseparable. But their love is forbidden because of a family feud, and they are forced to separate. Maryke's family moves to the city, leaving Johan to fend for himself. Years pass, and Maryke becomes a successful lawyer in the city, while Johan struggles to build a life for himself. They both move on with their lives, but never forget each other.
The story moves to the present day, where Maryke is unhappily engaged to a wealthy businessman. She is successful, but her life lacks love and passion. Johan, on the other hand, has become a successful farmer, but he is still haunted by the loss of his childhood sweetheart. One day, Maryke returns to her hometown for a case and runs into Johan. The old flame ignites again, and they both realize that they still love each other.
The rest of the movie unfolds as a beautiful, heartwarming story of how two people find their way back to each other. It explores the themes of love, forgiveness, and second chances. The chemistry between the two actors, Ivan Botha and DonnaLee Roberts, is palpable, and their performances are exceptional. Elize Cawood, who plays Maryke's mother, adds a layer of complexity to the story with her nuanced performance.
The movie is set in the small town of Vrede, which provides a picturesque backdrop to the love story. The cinematography is stunning, with beautiful shots of the countryside, sunsets, and stars. The music adds to the emotional depth of the movie, with a beautiful soundtrack that captures the essence of the story.
One of the highlights of the movie is the relationship between Maryke and her father, played by Lionel Newton. Their relationship is strained, and there are unresolved issues between them. However, as the story progresses, they find a way to reconcile and heal their relationship. This subplot adds depth to the story and explores the themes of family and forgiveness.
Another standout performance in the movie is by Marcel van Heerden, who plays Johan's father. He is a man haunted by the past and struggling with his own demons. His performance is nuanced and layered, adding a sense of melancholy to the movie.
Overall, Forever is a beautifully made movie that celebrates the beauty of love, family, and second chances. The performances are exceptional, the cinematography is stunning, and the music adds to the emotional depth of the movie. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves romantic dramas and wants to be swept away by a beautiful love story.
Forever is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.
