“Love Everlasting” is a movie that touches your heart with its unique blend of love, sorrow, and reality. It’s not widely known, but it’s a hidden gem that deserves recognition. In this article, we’ll explore the poignant ending of this underrated masterpiece.
Starring Lucky Blue Smith, this film marked the famous model’s acting debut. What makes it even more special is that it was filmed in Utah, Lucky’s hometown. The local scenery adds a unique charm to the movie, setting it apart from others in its genre.
This 1 hour and 33-minute film faced tough competition when it was released alongside “Fifty Shades Darker,” leading to it being overshadowed and overlooked. “Love Everlasting” remains unrated, but the director believes it would have likely received a PG or PG-13 rating.
“Love Everlasting,” released in 2016, tells the story of Bridger Jenkins, a high schooler, and his mother, Helen, who flee from Bridger’s abusive father. They end up in a small Utah town with little money, dreaming of reaching the ocean.
They find refuge with Will Simms, a local mechanic, who takes them in. Bridger begins to bond with Clover, Will’s daughter, as they both carry scars – Bridger from a heart transplant and Clover from her own past trauma. Their connection sparks hope for a brighter future.
Their newfound peace is shattered by Bo, Bridger’s high school bully, triggering Bridger’s struggles with alcoholism and haunting memories. When Bo brutally beats Bridger, leaving him in a coma, their future hangs by a thread.
After Bridger wakes up, he proposes to Clover, and they decide to fulfill his final wish of watching the ocean together. But tragedy strikes the next day when Bridger disappears, leaving Clover searching in vain.
The ending of “Love Everlasting” is emotionally powerful. After a passionate wedding night, Bridger, standing by the ocean, lets the sand slip through his fingers. It’s as if he can feel his life slipping away, echoing the beginning of the film when he and his mother set out on their journey.
When Clover finds Bridger lifeless on the beach, it becomes evident that he didn’t survive. The camera then shifts to the ocean, suggesting that Bridger has found peace in a faraway place.
In the subsequent scene, Clover and her daughter are shown, but Bridger is conspicuously absent. It appears to be Bridger’s daughter, and they live with Will and Helen. A new generation emerges, free from the deep-rooted trauma of the past – a symbol of hope amid tragedy.
“Love Everlasting” draws inspiration from two real-life stories. One is about a former student of the writer and director, Rob Diamond, who received a heart transplant at a young age. The other is a woman from his church who had a scar from a shotgun wound. These stories were woven together to create an uplifting narrative.
Is the ending of “Love Everlasting” happy or sad? It can be seen from both perspectives. Bridger’s death undoubtedly adds a touch of tragedy. However, the final scene with Bridger’s daughter growing up in a happy family hints at breaking the cycle of generational trauma.
In the end, “Love Everlasting” provides a poignant glimpse into the harsh realities of life. It reminds us that happiness is elusive, and people often don’t get what they desire.
Perhaps Bridger found peace by the beach before passing away, offering a glimmer of solace to the tortured boy within him.
“Love Everlasting” may not have gained the attention it deserves, but its heartfelt story and emotional depth make it a hidden gem worth watching. Its ending, though tinged with tragedy, carries a message of hope and the possibility of breaking free from the chains of the past.
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