SummaryIn the early ‘90s, gay teen Jaime is sent to live with her devout Jehovah’s Witness relatives after the death of her father. Jaime makes an unexpected connection with Marike, daughter of a prominent Witness Elder. The two are instantly drawn to each other, and begin a secret, unspoken romance. But when their attraction becomes too obvious to hide... Read More
Directed By:Mark Slutsky, Sarah Watts
Written By:Sarah Watts, Mark Slutsky
You Can Live Forever
Metascore
Generally Favorable
68
User score
Mixed or Average
5.1
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
68
71% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
May 5, 2023
88
A tender and compassionate debut feature by writer/directors Mark Slutsky and Sarah Watts, the latter of whom grew up gay in a Jehovah’s Witness community, You Can Live Forever lets the romantic tension between its protagonists build slowly and naturally, in stolen glances and small touches.
User score
Mixed or Average
5.1
44% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
11% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
44% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Dec 6, 2023
10
This was an incredible movie. Great shots, great script, but mostly, amazing acting and great chemistry between the main characters. I could feel their passion and consideration of each other throughout. It stayed interesting, and the end had me in tears. There’s honestly not a bad thing in this film.
Jul 17, 2023
6
The epilogue of the film is too hesitant and vague while the rest of the film is neither of those things. We just need satisfaction, and for the film to inspire some feeling in us. You Can Live Forever doesn’t do enough of this.
74
For all its aches and pains, the heart of You Can Live Forever doesn’t so much beat as skip, haltingly and disconcertingly, as it tries to keep its own lifeblood pumping.
Jun 16, 2023
70
Recent cinematic representations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, notably in Dea Kulumbegashvili’s Beginning, Richard Eyre’s The Children Act and Daniel Kokotajlo’s Apostasy, have not been kind to the Christian denomination. This compassionate story of puppy love – co-written and codirected by the former Witness Sarah Watts – shows more understanding towards the community, through conversations.
Apr 13, 2023
70
It’s a promising feature with an original focus, handled with romantic dexterity and thoughtful wisdom.
May 4, 2023
58
Though the well-crafted film makes use of a unique regional setting for some moving moments, its straightforward approach to well-worn territory offers few surprises
May 4, 2023
50
You Can Live Forever sticks to a fairly common coming-of-age trajectory.
May 12, 2023
3
Basically a Jehovah's Witness copy of Disobedience, same blasphemy, same lesbian tragedy trope ending.
Production Company:
- Prospector Films
Release Date:May 5, 2023
Duration:1 h 36 m
Awards
Vues d'en face - Festival International du Film LGBT+ de Grenoble
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Calgary International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
Directors Guild of Canada
• 1 Nomination
