Waiting for Forever - DVD

Content: As children, Emma (Rachel Bilson) and Will (Tom Sturridge) were inseparable. But that was many years ago and they have since lost track of each other. But street artist Will has never forgotten the love of his life, who now lives as a successful actress in L.A., and has always been close to her. That's why he follows her to her old hometown when Emma's father (Richard Jenkins) falls seriously ill. Again, he really only wants to look at her from a distance. But when she suddenly stands before him, events take an unexpected turn...

When does love become obsession? Where is the line between romance and stalking? Is what Will is feeling really love - or is it an expression of a psychological problem? These are the questions that the small indie comedy Waiting for Forever tackles with a mix of humor and drama. Director James Keach, younger brother of acting legend Stacey Keach, has visibly tried to set his romance a little outside the mainstream and entertain his audience with more unusual characters and a nice, not too conventional story. For long stretches, he has succeeded quite well.

He has already shown a good hand in the choice of the two main actors. Tom Sturridge (Radio Rock Revolution, On the Road) is equally convincing as a somewhat eccentric street performer with a penchant for pajamas as Rachel Bilson (O.C., California, Heart of Dixie) is as a hapless Hollywood starlet. The chemistry between the two is very cohesive and Sturridge's performance makes it easy to understand that Emma is on the one hand attracted to Will, but on the other hand also a little afraid of him when she learns that he has been constantly hanging around her.

Besides the two leads, the as always wonderful Richard Jenkins and Blythe Danner as Emma's parents especially deliver very charming performances. They then also help to save the film even over some somewhat bumpily staged scenes. Towards the end, however, it becomes very clear that the film would have benefited from a more polished script. Because the resolution of a dramatic conflict, which could have even landed Will in prison, feels very rushed and the finale thus much less believable than the rest of the story. Keach could have invested a few more minutes in the last act to give his likeable film a worthy conclusion.

But even if the ending seems a bit superficial, the bottom line is a very positive overall impression, resulting from the charming actors, the successful mix of restrained humor and drama, as well as the playful romantic story. So if you like small American indie romances with the flair of movies like Garden State, you will also be enchanted by Emma and Will. Worth seeing!

Picture + Sound: Since only a stream was available for the test, no rating can be given about the picture and sound quality at this point.

Extras: The DVD has only the trailer to offer the film as an extra.

Conclusion:Waiting for Forever is a charming little romantic comedy that is a little too over-the-top and out of touch with reality at times, but overall scores with likeable actors and some enchanting moments. The humor is rather restrained and especially in the second half the film becomes more of a drama. If you like small American indie comedies, you can safely risk a look here. Recommended

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp