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You Can Live Forever

Play trailer 1:31 Poster for You Can Live Forever 2023 1h 36m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
In 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, the community moves to separate the two, forcing them each to make a terrible choice between faith and love.
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You Can Live Forever

You Can Live Forever

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Critics Consensus

Narratively subtle and beautifully acted, You Can Live Forever finds soulful drama at the intersection of sexual orientation and religious faith.

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Critics Reviews

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Tara Brady Irish Times 07/04/2023
4/5
This compassionate story of puppy love – co-written and codirected by the former Witness Sarah Watts – shows more understanding towards the community. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian 06/12/2023
3/5
It’s got something of Jeanette Winterson’s tenderness, if not exactly the wit, and the movie is interesting and even faintly subversive in its implied analogies concerning conversion and enclosed behaviour systems. Go to Full Review
Christy Lemire FilmWeek (LAist) 05/17/2023
Sweet, gentle, and understated. Go to Full Review
Karina Adelgaard Womentainment Jun 9
4/5
...there’s a reason why this movie has become very popular in the LGBTQ+ community. First, and foremost (I think), it’s because of the very believable romantic story and chemistry between the lead character. Second, and almost as important, this movie... Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast Mar 10
3.5/5
Featuring stand-out performances by Anwen O'Driscoll and June Laporte, the 90s-set film is beautifully quiet and contemplative. Go to Full Review
Codie Allen Geek Vibes Nation Jul 29
9/10
You Can Live Forever is a beautifully crafted cinematic exploration of the universal human themes of identity, desire, and the search for belonging. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Bill T. @btreakle Jun 11 “You Can Live Forever” This movie is 1 about a story about a young lady whose father suddenly passes away from a heart attack and her mother is so over stricken with grief that she sends her to live with her sister. The sister belongs to the religious sect jehovah witnesses it just proves to be very trying for this young lady who herself is struggling with the grief of the loss of her father. But soon she finds a friend her friend is so much like her both physically and mentally and this is their story. I’m not usually a fan of these types of movies but I really felt this one to move me and it was so believable a story of love.     See more Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Jun 10 This was truly a sweet story about 2 girls who start as friends but over time develops into romance. The only problem is the community in which they reside in. There's nothing fresh about that part of the story. They try and hide it but ultimately they get caught. I wasn't really a fan of the ending cause in my opinion you shouldn't get your cake and be able to eat it too. Other than that this was a good time. Tim Treakle See more Jess S. @JessWatchesCinema Jun 1 A feel good, but also heartbreaking story of a never bending love between two young women. A beautiful piece for anyone in the lgbt community See more Alain E @AlainE May 25 Love in the time of cholera, that is during a spiritual cult endemic. Two adolescent girls meet and fall in love. One belongs to the sect, which decides that she needs to get married and start having kids. The story is simple but the narrative is done delicately. Other than kissing nothing happens on the screen to corrupt young minds and give them ideas. Very good acting. In the very last scene the possibility of a better outcome remains open. Otherwise quite sad movie. This is not a predominantly LGBTQ etc etc movie, just a very good love story. Do we categorize separately movies that feature different types of interracial couples? On Prime. See more Courtney S. @GetOverIt23 Apr 24 When two humans love each other but religion keeps them apart. Beautiful movie showing how religion is so harmful to the lgbtq community. 10/10 See more Wendy B @WoodlandElf Nov 11 This movie is just okay. It was really depressing. Add religion and that’s what you get. Not recommended. If you want an uplifting lesbian movie watch “imagine me and you.” See more Read all reviews
You Can Live Forever

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 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, the community moves to separate the two, forcing them each to make a terrible choice between faith and love.
Director
Sarah Watts, Mark Slutsky
Producer
Robert Vroom
Screenwriter
Mark Slutsky, Sarah Watts
Distributor
Good Deed Entertainment
Production Co
Prospector Films
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters)
May 5, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 5, 2023
Runtime
1h 36m