Forever (2023), directed by Anders Hazelius, is a Swedish coming-of-age drama that explores the fragile, powerful bond between two teenage girls on the cusp of adulthood. Set against the backdrop of competitive youth football, the film is a sensitive, nuanced portrayal of friendship, ambition, and the bittersweet process of growing up. With its authentic performances and understated storytelling, Forever stands out as a heartfelt examination of how dreams and relationships can collide, leaving indelible marks on young lives.

Story & Plot

At the heart of Forever are Mila and Kia, two inseparable best friends and aspiring professional footballers. Their shared passion for the sport is the glue that binds them, and together they dream of making it big on the field. The film opens with the girls training, laughing, and supporting each other through the ups and downs of adolescence. Their friendship is depicted with warmth and realism, capturing the ease and intensity that often define such formative relationships.

The narrative takes a turn when the girls get a new football coach, Lollo. Lollo is demanding, ambitious, and determined to push the team to new heights. Her arrival brings a shift in the team’s dynamics, and the pressure to perform begins to weigh heavily on Mila and Kia. As the stakes rise, cracks begin to appear in their friendship. The girls, once inseparable, slowly start to drift apart, each grappling with her own insecurities, desires, and fears.

Mila, the more driven of the two, thrives under Lollo’s tough love, her talent and determination catching the coach’s eye. Kia, on the other hand, struggles to keep up, feeling increasingly sidelined and unsure of her place both on the team and in Mila’s life. The film delicately explores the jealousy, frustration, and longing that emerge as the girls’ paths begin to diverge.

Characters & Performances

Mila

Mila is portrayed as fiercely ambitious and passionate about football. Her drive is both her greatest strength and her Achilles’ heel. As she excels under the new coach, she is forced to confront the cost of her success-her relationship with Kia. Mila’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns that ambition can be both empowering and isolating.

Kia

Kia is the heart of the film. Sensitive, loyal, and deeply attached to Mila, she finds herself lost as their friendship falters. Kia’s struggle is universal: the pain of feeling left behind, of watching someone you love move on without you. Her vulnerability is portrayed with honesty and empathy, making her a deeply relatable character.

Coach Lollo

Lollo is a catalyst for change. Her presence is both inspiring and intimidating, challenging the girls to push beyond their limits. She is not a villain, but her methods force Mila and Kia to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and each other.

Supporting Cast

The ensemble cast, including teammates, family members, and other adults in the girls’ lives, add depth and authenticity to the story. Their interactions with Mila and Kia provide context and contrast, highlighting the different ways young people navigate pressure and expectation.

Direction & Screenplay

Anders Hazelius’s direction is marked by restraint and sensitivity. He allows the story to unfold organically, avoiding melodrama in favor of subtle, emotionally resonant moments. The screenplay is tight and focused, with dialogue that feels natural and true to the characters’ ages and experiences.

The film’s pacing is deliberate, mirroring the slow unraveling of Mila and Kia’s friendship. Hazelius uses silence and space to great effect, letting the audience sit with the characters’ emotions. The result is a film that feels lived-in and real, with every scene serving a purpose.

Cinematography & Technical Aspects

The cinematography is intimate and unobtrusive, capturing the girls’ world in warm, natural light. Close-ups and handheld shots bring the audience into the heart of the action, whether on the football field or in quiet moments of reflection. The use of color and composition underscores the film’s themes, with the vibrant greens of the pitch contrasting with the muted tones of the girls’ personal struggles.

The editing is seamless, maintaining a steady rhythm that keeps the audience engaged without rushing the story. The film’s score is understated, allowing the performances and visuals to take center stage.

Themes & Analysis

Friendship and Change

At its core, Forever is about the complexities of friendship. The film captures the intensity of adolescent bonds-the way they can feel unbreakable one moment and fragile the next. Mila and Kia’s relationship is depicted with nuance, showing both the joy and the pain of growing up together and apart.

Ambition and Identity

The film also explores the tension between ambition and loyalty. Mila’s desire to succeed is admirable, but it comes at a cost. Kia’s struggle to find her own path is equally compelling. Forever asks difficult questions about what we owe to ourselves and to those we love, and whether it’s possible to pursue our dreams without leaving others behind.

Coming of Age

Forever is a coming-of-age story in the truest sense. It doesn’t offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, it acknowledges that growing up is messy, confusing, and sometimes heartbreaking. The film’s honesty is its greatest strength, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences of change and loss.

Representation & Social Context

The film’s focus on two young female athletes is refreshing and important. In a genre often dominated by male stories, Forever gives voice to the unique challenges and triumphs faced by girls in sport. The film addresses issues of gender, expectation, and self-worth without resorting to clichés or heavy-handed messaging.

The Swedish setting adds another layer of authenticity, with the film capturing the rhythms and textures of everyday life in a small town. The cultural specificity grounds the story, while the universal themes ensure its resonance with audiences around the world.

Noteworthy Sequences

The Training Montage

One of the film’s standout sequences is a training montage that captures both the physical and emotional demands of competitive sport. The montage is set to a pulsating score, with quick cuts between drills, games, and moments of exhaustion and triumph. The sequence encapsulates the highs and lows of Mila and Kia’s journey, highlighting their determination and resilience.

The Confrontation

The emotional climax of the film comes in a heated confrontation between Mila and Kia. The scene is raw and unflinching, with both girls expressing their hurt and frustration. The dialogue is minimal, but the performances speak volumes. It’s a moment of catharsis that lays bare the pain of growing apart.

The Final Match

The film’s final act centers on an important football match. The stakes are high, not just for the team but for Mila and Kia’s friendship. The match is shot with energy and intensity, capturing the thrill of competition and the weight of expectation. The outcome is less important than what the girls learn about themselves and each other.

Performances

Agnes Lindström Bolmgren as Mila

Bolmgren delivers a nuanced, deeply felt performance as Mila. She captures the character’s ambition and vulnerability, making her both sympathetic and flawed. Bolmgren’s chemistry with her co-star is palpable, grounding the film’s emotional core.

Flutra Cela as Kia

Cela is a revelation as Kia. Her portrayal is understated but powerful, conveying a wide range of emotions with subtlety and grace. Kia’s journey is the heart of the film, and Cela’s performance ensures that the audience is with her every step of the way.

Mattias Nordkvist as Coach Lollo

Nordkvist brings complexity to the role of Lollo, avoiding easy stereotypes. His interactions with the girls are layered, showing both the pressures of coaching and the genuine care he has for his players.

Critical Reception

Forever has been praised for its authenticity, emotional depth, and strong performances. Critics have highlighted the film’s sensitive handling of adolescent friendship and its refusal to resort to melodrama or easy resolutions. The direction, cinematography, and score have also received positive notices, with many reviewers noting the film’s understated beauty.

Some critics have noted that the film’s deliberate pacing may not appeal to all viewers, and that the lack of a traditional happy ending may be challenging for those seeking closure. However, most agree that these choices are in keeping with the film’s commitment to realism and emotional honesty.

Audience Response

Audiences have responded warmly to Forever, particularly those who see themselves reflected in Mila and Kia’s journey. The film has struck a chord with young viewers, athletes, and anyone who has experienced the bittersweet process of growing up and growing apart. Social media has been filled with praise for the film’s performances, its depiction of female friendship, and its honest portrayal of ambition and change.

Strengths

• Authentic Performances: The lead actors bring depth and realism to their roles, making the characters relatable and compelling.

• Nuanced Storytelling: The film avoids clichés and melodrama, opting instead for subtle, emotionally resonant moments.

• Strong Visuals: The cinematography and editing create an immersive, intimate atmosphere that draws viewers into the girls’ world.

• Important Themes: The film tackles issues of friendship, ambition, identity, and gender with sensitivity and insight.

Weaknesses

• Deliberate Pacing: The film’s slow, measured pace may not appeal to all viewers, particularly those seeking more action or drama.

• Open-Ended Resolution: The lack of a tidy conclusion may leave some audiences wanting more closure.

• Limited Scope: The focus on Mila and Kia means that some supporting characters are less developed.

Legacy & Impact

Forever stands as a testament to the power of quiet, character-driven storytelling. It offers a rare, honest look at the complexities of female friendship and the challenges faced by young women in sport. The film’s success has sparked conversations about representation, ambition, and the importance of telling diverse stories.

For many viewers, Forever is more than just a film- it’s a mirror, reflecting the joys and pains of growing up. Its impact will be felt not just by those who see themselves in Mila and Kia, but by anyone who has ever loved, lost, and learned to move forward.

Final Verdict

Forever is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant film that captures the highs and lows of adolescence with honesty and grace. Its authentic performances, nuanced storytelling, and strong visual style make it a standout entry in the coming-of-age genre. While it may not offer easy answers or dramatic twists, its quiet power lies in its truthfulness and its deep empathy for its characters.

Rating: 4/5

Conclusion

In a cinematic landscape often dominated by spectacle and melodrama, Forever is a welcome breath of fresh air. It reminds us that the most profound stories are often the simplest, and that the bonds we form in our youth can shape us in ways we never expect. Whether you’re a fan of coming-of-age dramas, sports films, or simply great storytelling, Forever is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.