Review of Waiting for Forever (2010) by Jiana W — 28 Oct 2011

A quirky and sometimes-sweet romantic tale of an unusual young man, Will, who follows his childhood friend/love-of-his-life, actress Emma, from city to city. They eventually return to their hometown where the child-like Will promises his friends and family that he will finally confess his feelings to Emma. His brother Jim, written as a complete a-hole, constantly berates Will for his antics. The thing that the movie doesn't seem to want to admit is that Jim is right. They make him a total, unlikeable S.O.B. to make you more sympathetic to Willie but if Jim's character was given a softer take we'd easily be on his side instead. Not because we don't like Will-- how could you not?-- but because Jim has a point that otherwise is marred by his harsh condescension.

Willie is certainly a sweet guy. He's weird but in an innocent way. The last time I saw Tom Sturridge he was boring it up on "Pirate Radio" as a most-mundane protagonist. The character he creates in "Waiting For Forever" has way more life and likeability, which is what makes the movie watchable for the most part. Set aside his character, though, look deeper and realize that the story is actually kind of sloppily-written. Willie's "following" of Emma from city-to-city lands him in trouble with the law when he is framed for a murder, no less. At this point the film takes a very interesting turn and I was ready for some drama, some more emotion, but everything ends so.... easily in that department and is ultimately a let-down from what I expected to happen.

It's watchable because of Sturridge's charming take on Will.