In a movie market saturated with big, flying, exploding gimmicks and hating, swearing, murdering lunatics, Forever My Girl is a shining beacon of hope. A third into the movie, I joked to my folks that the roles seemed too nice and normal. Halfway through and I was astounded by the director's ability tell a story that is all about coping and forgiving without turning it into a snore-fest.The film does not resort to cliches or hackneyed tropes to bring out the characters' conflicts and struggles. Everyone acts like civil and responsible people do, and the plot flows sensibly and naturally. The backdrop has strong resemblance to Mark Walberg's Rock Star, and the two will undoubtedly be mentioned together. Yet Forever My Girl does a much better job celebrating human decency and dignity. A sweet and charming hidden gem.

I am a fan of Nicholas Sparks and I am a softy for cute love stories. So...when I saw the trailer for "Forever My Girl", I really wanted to see it. So...I bought it on DVD and was super excited! While the movie had me smiling a lot, I also thought that Liam and Josie moved pretty fast for him leaving her at the alter and being away for 7,8 years. Other than that it was a cute movie.

While bashed by the critics, "Forever My Girl" has received a warm reception from audiences. This is not surprising, as it makes use of one of the staples of Jane Austen's novels in the "second chance" convention, wherein a relationship that appears doomed to human error is transformed with the gift of a second opportunity.Such is the case in the romantic destiny of the young couple of Josie and Liam. Liam jilted Josie at the altar to pursue a career as a singer, which was not a good thing to do in the small, tightly-knit community of Saint Augustine, Louisiana. He compounded this dumb move by declining to return Josie's desperate phone message, which would have alerted him to the bastard child he had sired. Of course, Liam regretted his mistakes, and, eight years later, he seeks atonement, reconciliation and redemption with his "forever" girl from the town called "Saint."There are two winsome performances from the two young actors playing Josie and Liam. The screenplay also includes some nice touches with the phone message, the rabbit, the guitar, the ice cream, the rose garden, and the espresso machine. On the other hand, there are a several contrived and leaden moments, such as the scene with the Heimlich maneuver, the mean-spirited step-brother, and an excess of pop psychology.The father character, Pastor Brian, who is the dad of Liam, was also another one of the well-developed roles. The filmmakers made a wise choice by not taking their narrative too far down the path of a Christian morality tale. Thankfully, Pastor Brian did not do extensive Bible thumping. Audiences reacted favorably to this film because we rarely get out own second chances in life. "Forever My Girl" offers a good dose of romantic wish-fulfillment in the effort made by Liam to earn a second chance and the grace of Josie to grant it to him.

Here's the thing: Josie (Jessica Rothe) is left at the Alter by Liam Page (Alex Roth). Now 8-years later we see that Liam Page is a big Country Music Star. He decides to return to his home town. Is it because he realizes he still loves Josie? Oh, no. He sees on TV that his best friend was killed in a car accident and that's why he goes. Now while there he, of course, runs into Josie and she wants nothing to do with him. (Of course, we don't believe that) But here's the other thing: he finds out he has a daughter named Billy (Abby Ryder Fortson) who is 7-yrs old. For once his head is clear. Let the games begin.Now we know that Josie still loves Liam and Liam still loves Josie. Another thing: Billy figures out that Liam is her father and wants to get to know him. Josie isn't too sure about all this, but is willing to give it a try. So we know, in time, this will all work out. That is until something happens to Billy. Liam blames himself and goes away..... again. Notables: John Benjamin Hickey as Pastor Brian, Liam's father; Tyler Riggs as Jake, Josie's brother who doesn't like Liam; Peter Cambor as Sam, Liam's manager, who convinces Liam to follow his heart; Travis Tritt as Walt, a singer in a bar Liam goes to.It was surprising to hear Billy talk like she was wise beyond her years, but that is what we have and, actually, she was pretty good. And we see that she has a musical talent no one knew about. The acting all around is very good as was the music especially the last song. This is slow paced, but I think that was needed. (Hey, you can't rush these things)We are all waiting for the reason Liam left Josie at the Alter. And yes, it's kind of a stretch but it is what we have. This is a very good love story , but I did notice one thing, one GLARING thing: at no time did Liam or Jose say, "I love you." We just have to read into it, and I am sure we will. (Yes, we will) (7/10)Violence: No. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: Yes. Language: No. Rating: B