A struggling mother and son from the Midwest—played by Emily Procter and Lucky Blue Smith—travel to a small town in Utah where they find lodging. The mother secures employment, while her son attends school with the goal of graduating. Their shared aspiration is to reach the ocean, though significant obstacles arise, but love proves to be their guide. Shawn Stevens portrays a friendly mechanic, whose daughter is portrayed by Christie Burke. Landon Henneman appears as an unconventional teacher, and Austin R. Grant takes on the role of a bully. “Love Everlasting” (2016) is an independent drama/romance centered around high school experiences, written and directed by Rob Diamond. Some critics dismiss it as resembling a Nicholas Sparks film with familiar tropes, but it functions adequately for what it aims to be, and the limited budget is barely noticeable—aside from a few brief moments that could have benefited from additional writing or acting refinement, which requires time and resources. The success of the movie hinges on casting the right actors in six key roles, and in this regard, it succeeds. The performances are all convincing, with Lucky Blue Smith particularly noteworthy at just 17 years old during filming. He possesses a charisma reminiscent of Brando combined with the appearance of a tall, slender David Bowie. Christie Burke is endearing as the wounded girl, while Emily Procter stands out for her beauty at age 47 when the film was made. While some critics point to its perceived predictability, there are several unexpected events that unfold. For example, I anticipated the oak tree scene would fall victim to a predictable plot device, but it confidently maintains its intended course. I’m assigning “Love Everlasting” a high rating because of its emotional depth—in contrast to vulgarity or contrived attempts at political correctness—and for including several poignant observations about life and how to navigate it, regardless of one's goals. The depiction of the high school years is particularly well-observed. Everyone has encountered bullies, peer pressure, petty cruelties, genuinely helpful teachers, personal safe havens, “forts,” popular kids, outcasts, nerds, and abusive father figures. Above all, the movie emphasizes that any significant challenge can be overcome through love and respect, which instill inner strength and hope for perseverance. Though it lacks the financial backing of other high school films like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982), “Footloose” (1984), “Clueless” (1995) and “The Rage: Carrie 2” (1999), it shares a similar spirit with those movies. I acknowledge that some of those films incorporate comedy, quirkiness, and horror elements, but they are fundamentally high school stories that effectively capture the complexities of those formative years—both the good and the bad. "Love Everlasting" is akin to “Cutback” (2010) in its inspirational tone, although with a larger budget; it’s not overtly faith-based like “Cutback,” but it inspires through subtle means. Refer to Proverbs 15:17 for further insight. The film has a running time of 1 hour and 33 minutes and was primarily filmed in Utah, with some scenes shot on the Southern California coast. GRADE: A-/B+

Source on TMDB