Lifetime's 'Forever' Review: A Touching Love Story

Lifetime is adding another captivating romance to its lineup with Forever, a film born from its collaboration with best-selling author Terry McMillan. Known for her hits like How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale, McMillan continues her tradition of exploring love and personal growth through her stories.

The film is produced by The Ninth House in partnership with GroupM Motion Entertainment. Alongside McMillan, Diggs and Good serve as executive producers. Charles Murray directs and co-produces the film, with Bart Baker writing the script. The production team also includes Emmy-winning producer Shelby Stone, Autumn Federici, and Jake Helgren for The Ninth House, while Richard Foster and Chet Fenster represent GroupM Motion Entertainment.

In Forever, Taye Diggs plays Johnnie, a military veteran who returns home to an unexpected reality—divorce papers from his wife. His life takes a turn when he meets Carlie, portrayed by Meagan Good, a local policewoman who initially knows him from a speeding ticket. As Johnnie tries to win Carlie’s heart, he faces the challenge of gaining the approval of her three daughters. The journey becomes a path to confronting his past and embracing the true meaning of love and family.

Lifetime's collaboration with Terry McMillan seems to be hitting the mark with its focus on diverse and emotionally engaging stories. Taye Diggs and Meagan Good brought a decent level of chemistry to the film, even if the casting of Good as a mother of three felt a bit stretched.

The themes of stepping into a parental role and the trials of blending families are indeed powerful and relatable. The twist of Carlie’s illness and untimely death certainly adds a dramatic depth to the story, making the final moments even more poignant. The image of Johnnie giving Carlie’s eldest daughter away at the wedding is a beautiful, emotional payoff.

It’s exciting to see Lifetime expanding its storytelling with such heartfelt and complex narratives. If they continue to deliver stories like this, it sounds like they’re on track to gain more dedicated viewers.

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