Forever takes Judy Blume’s novel of the same name and reworks it as a tender story of growing up and coming of age between two Black teens in LA in their last years of high school. The series was created by Mara Brock Akil with Judy Blume as one of the producers.
Forever is set pre-pandemic in 2018 and 2019 and examines the lives of two teens. Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.) is from a wealthy family. He’s good at basketball and loves music and creating beats. His mother (Karen Pittman) is determined he will go to Northwestern, her alma mater. He has ADHD and struggles with school, but she keeps pushing him to excel and get into Northwestern. Justin’s father (Wood Harris) is a successful chef with several restaurants but no college degree. He’s much more down to earth and understanding as a parent.
Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone) lives with her single mom, who works two jobs to keep Keisha in a mostly white school. Keisha left her old school after her then boyfriend Christian (Xavier Mills) allowed a sex tape of them to get out. Keisha’s ambition is to get into Howard University. She’s hiding everything about the sex tape and the consequences to her life from her mom. Keisha tries to deal with it by herself, a decision that reverberates through one of the main themes of the series: it takes a village to nurture and support Black kids so they can achieve success and follow their dreams.
Justin and Keisha were in elementary school together. When they both attend the same party in high school, they are quickly smitten with each other. We live with their relationship through junior and senior year. It’s a roller coaster ride with many misunderstandings and heartbreaks as well as great tenderness and vulnerabilty between them. When they are together they explore sex – the topic is dealt with very frankly.
They are together, then they break up – breaking up consists of blocking each other on their phones – and after a few weeks they make up and try again. As they struggled to figure out who they are they go through this up and down drama again and again. It’s beautifully told and heartwarming to watch them grow up, navigate their feelings and ambitions, and come to understand what they need for themselves and each other.
The conversations both these teens have with their parents reveal so much about what it is to grow up Black in America. Their conversations with their friends are also interesting. Justin’s friend Darius (Niles Fitch) encourages him to rush into sex. Keisha’s friend is a white girl, Chloe (Ali Gallo), who is understanding and supportive.
I liked several things about this series. The actors were excellent. There was some nudity, but the sex scenes managed to be both explicit and modest. I know that doesn’t make sense, but it was obvious what they were doing even though it was shown in ways that allowed for modesty. The fierce Black moms protecting their kids were outstanding. The ending left Justin and Keisha in a good place showing growth, but you know as a viewer that their lives and plans are about to be slapped down by COVID.
Half of the eight episode were directed by women. Women directors were Thumbi Banks, Mara Brock Akil, and Regina King.
I’m way out of the age range for the demographic for Forever, but I thought it was excellent and should really resonate with the young adult audience it’s meant for. You can see it on Netflix, where it has been renewed for a second season. I’m very interested in what the second season will be with 2020 fast approaching our characters. They must have chosen to set the story in this time period for a reason.