Tribeca 2022 | You Can Live Forever Review - A Smart Infusion of 90s Nostalgia, A Touching Romance & Religious Oppression That Everyone Can Connect To

Missed my interview with Mark Slutsky & Sarah Watts? Check it out below!

We all have trauma from our childhood. No matter how good it was, we all carry around or wish we made one or maybe even a dozen decisions that would've made us happier than we are as adults.

In You Can Live Forever, directors Mark Slutsky and Sarah Watts depict this through the eyes of a lesbian teenager named Jaime (played by Anwen O'Driscoll), who is sent to live with her devout Jehovah's Witness relatives after the death of her father in the 1990s. Her relationship with Marike (played by June Laporte), the daughter of a prominent Witness elder, drives the two to choose between their forbidden romance and the life the Witnesses want them to lead.

“I will never be afraid to sound stupid.” - Nathan (played by Hasani Freeman)

This story is full of all the usual trappings, but how the film depicts the relationship & the dynamics behind it feel fresh due to Slutsky & Watt's writing & direction. Little moments remind you of your childhood (whether or not you're a 90s kid or not), like Jaime's Walkman or the awkward & quiet humor of a teenager. Likewise, the way dialogue is delivered feels authentic to how teenagers talk. Furthermore, the duo's writing focuses on the tension of Marike and Jaime's relationship, in which each is scared of what the elders might do. Tying their relationship to the religious oppression many gay or lesbian teens face today suddenly makes the tension feel real, not the abstract thing happening in the background. There are consequences to their actions - some more horrifying than others. The only critique I have of the duo's writing is that the ending feels too neat for the story being told here.

“You wouldn’t marry someone before dating them, would you?” - Amanda (played by Deragh Campbell)

The performances are impeccable. Anwen O'Driscoll and June Laporte's performances are great, but the performances of Deragh Campbell as Amanda and Tim Campbell as Frank are equally nuanced. Both sides want the best for their relationship but might not want the same things—Bravo to Mark Slutsky and Sarah Watts for not making these performances too obvious.

“Aren’t you getting sick of me? That’s impossible!” - Jaime & Marike (played by Anwen O'Driscoll & June Laporte, respectively)

Gayle Ye's cinematography is beautiful and complex. Ye does some clever tricks, like a muted color palette when Jaime's with family or at church, but everywhere else is this vibrant explosion of color that must be seen to be believed. Another thing I loved about her cinematography was her use of a shot-reverse-shot at Marike's house, drawing the viewer away from the conversation everyone else is having & focusing on what's essential - Marike and Jaime. Of course, her cinematography gets better from that point on, but I don't want to spoil all the good parts of the film. You'll have to watch it to see for yourself.

Quick note: the 90s-inspired score by CFCF is simply incredible. For some reason, his score is full of slamming synths that remind me a ton of Daft Punk's Tron Legacy score. So for that reason alone, you should check this film out.

If you're into cozy vibes, costume designer Kayleigh Choiniere has you covered with knit sweaters, huge coats, scarves, and just about anything in-between. These costumes further the viewer's sense of each character's emotional status as well, given that just like the previously mentioned color palette shifts in the cinematography, Jaime & the cast wear the emotions literally on their sleeves.

If you're looking for a romantic drama that reminds you of all the messy parts of a relationship - good and bad - check out You Can Live Forever at Tribeca 2022!

★★★★

You Can Live Forever is screening as part of the 2022 Tribeca Festival until the 26th.

Until next time!

Thanks to Thomas Stoneham-Judge from Movies For Reel, Shane Conto, Joseph Davis, David Walters, Ambula Bula, and Matthew Simpson for supporting Austin B Media on Patreon!