A good love story is one that never ends, even after death. And Daniela Forever, takes a stab at bringing one of those to the screen. But, it just ends up being a bit of a jumbled mess with shifting aspect ratios and a narrative that is a bit more confused than most viewers are going to want to sit through.
After the loss of his girlfriend Daniela, Nicolás (Henry Golding) is convinced to join an experimental therapy treatment which could help him get over his grief. After a quick mistake, he realizes that this dream therapy could actually be used to be with Daniela again, and to hopefully correct the mistakes of their relationships. But Nicolás’ determination to be with Daniela is only on his terms, and he tries to create the world with her in it that fits his needs.
The movie has a similar feeling to it as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Greatest Hits and other movies that delve into loss of one sort or another and lucid dreams. But while Nicolás is trying to find his way back to Daniela, he actually tries to manipulate her memory into his ideal taking away her agency and any individuality she once had. Memories aren’t lining up with what really happened and no matter what he does to try to make it an ideal world for him with her in it – the consequences of his decisions start catching up to him.
The movie dances the line of reality, sci-fi and the extremes someone may attempt to get get back a lost love. But unlike other movies, it does so in a clumsy attempt and of course tosses in a weird three-some for possible comic relief? After last year’s release, The Greatest Hits, where music is used to stir up memories and a lost love, Daniela Forever just goes through Nicolás hand picked memories and the good times he chooses to remember. The result is a movie that isn’t as heart felt, that feels like he’s just there to control a story of his making – which could be the embodiment of grief to him, but feels disingenuous for the ultimate goal of being with the woman he loves. The story feels a bit sloppy, and changing the memories feels almost cheap overall. While it’s an interesting take on grief and the use of dreams to heal – it just doesn’t seem to deliver a story that would appeal to many audiences.
Daniela Forever is currently playing in theaters.
Overall Rating
About Daniela Forever
Grieving the loss of his girlfriend Daniela, Nicolás is consumed by sorrow. He sees a glimmer of hope when he’s offered a chance to participate in a groundbreaking sleep therapy that simulates reality. But as dream and memory blur, he must confront what healing really means—and whether he’s ready to let go. From visionary filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo (Colossal), Daniela Forever is a sci-fi journey through love, loss, and illusion.