The captivating essence of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel “Forever” lies in its candidness. By portraying two adolescents who fall in love, go on ski trips, and gradually progress from kissing to more intimate acts such as hand jobs, sexual intercourse, and orgasms, she touches upon a delicate, contradictory aspect of teenage life: It is steeped in taboos, but those taboos are constantly being shattered. When considering a 2025 adaptation of “Forever“, several questions arise simultaneously: How can a production from the era of Sex Education and Euphoria maintain the same transgressive impact as a novel about teenage sexuality in the ’70s? Is it appropriate to do so? Have technological advancements altered what feels scary and significant for high-schoolers today? Are teens in 2025 fundamentally different from their counterparts in the ’70s?
Netflix’s series “Forever,” penned by Mara Brock Akil, who is known for her work on “Girlfriends” and “Being Mary Jane,” provides numerous insightful responses to complex issues. It doesn’t provide a straightforward yes or no answer. Instead, it portrays social pressures that are familiar but play out in environments the characters in Blume’s stories could not have imagined. The feelings of awkwardness, compulsion, and excitement associated with early sexual experiences remain consistent, yet they unfold within a backdrop of expectations and high stakes that were absent for Blume’s teenagers. In essence, the power of “Forever” lies in Akil’s ability to depict teenagers accurately at any given point in history. These teens are fresh and unique, a generation unlike any before, yet they share the same universal characteristics as every teenager throughout history.
In contrast to Blume’s original novel “Forever“, which was set in the affluent, predominantly white community of Westfield, New Jersey, this adaptation transports the story to Los Angeles, where the main characters are Black teenagers hailing from diverse backgrounds. Michael Cooper Jr. portrays Justin, a young man who is being groomed by his ambitious parents for long-term financial success while navigating the rampant racism that poses significant threats to young Black men’s safety. His father, played by Wood Harris, is a renowned chef and restaurant owner, and his mother, Karen Pittman, is a high-ranking executive in corporate finance, both deeply invested in shaping Justin’s future. In their efforts to secure his future, they believe that getting him into a prestigious university through basketball is the safest route. However, it remains unclear whether Justin truly shares this passion for basketball.
At a friend’s gathering, Justin encounters Keisha (Lovie Simone), a former track star from school who he used to know but hadn’t given a second thought until now, mostly because she’s become quite attractive. However, unlike Justin, Keisha leads a very different life. She resides with her single mother (Xosha Roquemore) who juggles multiple jobs to cover Keisha’s private school tuition. Unlike Justin, who seems lacking in motivation, Keisha is brimming with it. She aspires to attend Howard University and has been working tirelessly to become a strong candidate through her academic achievements and athletic prowess. Despite this, she’s had to change schools due to circumstances she hasn’t shared with her mother. There’s a sex tape involving her and an ex-boyfriend that’s been spreading among their circle of friends, adding to the stress in her life. Even after switching schools, this embarrassing situation continues to loom over her like a heavy burden.
In simpler terms, Justin and Keisha are both young and attractive individuals who have a mutual understanding yet come from different social backgrounds. They communicate via text messages, spend time together, introduce each other to their parents with some shyness, then retreat to a private space where they continue their relationship. The story unfolds much like an old classic tale, but with unique twists that are skillfully portrayed throughout the series.
The narrative explores themes such as wealth and class disparity, sexual attraction, parental pressures, and societal expectations. However, how these themes manifest in Justin’s and Keisha’s lives is crucial and carefully crafted. For example, they wait in line for designer collaborations at the mall, their friends constantly share their thoughts via text and video calls, and Justin wants to buy expensive items for Keisha despite her financial limitations.
Justin’s parents express concerns about his clothing choices and remind him of proper behavior when driving, while Keisha’s mother is always tired and struggling to make enough money for Keisha’s education. The story shares many similarities with Judy Blume’s “Forever…” in terms of themes and amusing specificity (Justin still refers to his penis as Ralph), but what makes it impactful is how effectively Akil adapts it to this nearly contemporary setting.
In simpler terms, the show “Forever” is set in the past (2018) instead of the future (2025), giving it a slightly evasive feel while still portraying contemporary teen romance. The choice to set it in 2018 rather than 2025 allows the series to avoid dealing with immediate issues like post-pandemic politics and changes in technology, fashion, and contemporary culture that might be too challenging for a show about two teens who’ve always had smartphones. Instead, this choice creates a comforting nostalgic atmosphere, making it feel like an old-school throwback. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; after all, who wants to tackle the complexities of post-pandemic politics when dealing with teenagers grappling with growing up in the age of social media is enough?
In the adaptation of “Forever,” the parents assume a more significant role compared to their part in Blume’s initial work, largely due to the expansion necessary for transforming a novel into an eight-episode TV series. This adaptation smartly incorporates Pittman, Harris, and Roquemore to add adult drama to the teen drama. However, the standout aspects are the captivating performances by Simone and Cooper as Keisha and Justin. “Forever” could be the most skillfully written, insightful, and well-produced adaptation ever imagined, but without actors who can convey a mix of intense attraction and fear simultaneously, it would fall flat. Despite being typical teens of their time, Keisha and Justin serve as the closest links between this series and Blume’s original work, seamlessly transitioning between bravado, joy, anger, shyness, and innocence within a single scene. Their performances breathe life into “Forever,” infusing a TV portrayal of teen sexual exploration with a sense of awe, disillusionment, and some raw uncertainty about the mechanics. They give “Forever” an enduring feel.
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2025-05-08 18:15