Sartaj Singh
Directed by Charles Murray, ‘Terry McMillan Presents: Forever’ introduces us to Johnnie Taylor, a war veteran who returns to his hometown only to be served up divorce papers by his wife. Continuing his streak of terrible luck, he is stopped for a speeding ticket by local policewoman Carlie Walters. However, Carlie lets him go, and the incident lights a spark in Johnnie, compelling him to pursue her. As the two begin to nurture a heartwarming romance, the veteran meets Carlie’s daughters, whose temperament has seemingly kept her from remarrying. With unwavering affection and patience, Johnnie begins to step up as the father they never had and hopes to build a future with Carlie. Also known as ‘Forever,’ the Lifetime romance narrates a touching story of family, parenthood, and true love, sparking curiosity regarding its source of inspiration.
Forever is a Work of Fiction that Resonates with Terry McMillan’s Work
‘Terry McMillan Presents: Forever’ is a Lifetime film under the banner of Terry McMillan as part of the Network’s 40th anniversary to celebrate African American women’s lives and romantic tales. Therefore, although it is an original work of fiction written by Bart Baker, it was brought to life by the production team with the intent of exploring relatable family dynamics with a dash of sensational romance. Celebrated African American author Terry McMillan is known for her romances, which deviate from picture-perfect partners and settings, delving into the characters’ flawed situations and emotional struggles.
Just as in ‘Forever,’ McMillan’s female leads are often facing substantial familial challenges and a void of romance. Some parallels can be drawn between Carlie Walters and Mildred Peacock in Terry McMillan’s 1987 novel, ‘Mama.’ Like Carlie, Mildred is a single mother with multiple children whom she lovingly but sternly raises to be the best version of themselves. She, too, faces the monumental challenges of single parenthood and has to make sacrifices for their prosperity.
Taye Diggs Channelized His Life Experiences in Forever
Taye Diggs, who steps into the role of Johnnie Taylor in ‘Forever,’ tapped into his personal experiences as a divorced single father grappling with the responsibilities of single parenthood. He felt a personal connection to the film and its story, resonating with the narrative. “It’s about adults that have been through life,” said Diggs about the film in an interview. “They’ve been through divorce, they have children…adult situations that I 100% can pull from my own life. I’m single. I’m divorced, I have a kid. You don’t see a lot of those stories anymore, where you can see two people meeting each other and (witness) the intricacies and the vulnerabilities that come with that.”
Diggs is divorced from actress and singer Idina Menzel in real life, and the two share a teenage son. Not only did the actor’s experiences influence the film, but the film may have also given him inspiration for a new adventure that he had been holding back from. “I had to make a decision like, ‘I’m gonna date now,’” he revealed in the aforementioned interview. “When you’re younger, it’s kind of fun and exciting. Now you’re like, ‘What are we gonna talk about? We’re gonna talk about parents and where you’re coming from and ‘how long have you been acting?’ So I got to really pump myself up to put myself out there. But I’ve gone on a couple dates and it’s been fun.”
‘Terry McMillan Presents: Forever’ is a compelling work of fiction that resonates deeply with both its creators and audience. Written by Bart Baker, the film explores the complexities of love, parenthood, and starting over. Taye Diggs brought further authenticity to the work through personal experiences as a single, divorced father and was inspired by its story to give love another chance.
Read More: Bonds Will Be Broken: Is the Lifetime Movie Based on a True Story?
