I Still Believe | Film Review

 

This film premiered on Amazon Prime Video a couple of weeks ago. It came out in 2020, but wasn't available for Prime members until the premiere. I didn't know much about it, other than it being a true story, but the plot sounded like something that I would really enjoy, so I decided to watch it.

Jeremy Camp (K.J. Apa) is an aspiring singer who meets Melissa (Britt Robertson) in college and instantly falls for her. But soon, tragedy befalls the new couple.

I really enjoyed this film.

There is really great chemistry between the two leads. Not only do you believe them as a couple, but you believe that they are really going through everything that is happening in the film.

As well as being a drama, music is very important to this story. The music throughout is completely stunning - each song serves a different purpose, and they all work really well in the context of the film.

This may be due to this film being a true story, but even in a short time you can feel how 3-dimensional and developed these characters are. The story is really well-written.

At the beginning of the film, I was slightly thrown. It begins as an average rom-com, which isn't what it's advertised as. It takes a while to get going -you're waiting to get to the proper plot for over half an hour. But once it gets going, it's great.

It is heart-breaking, and beautiful, almost in equal measure - you become really invested in these characters, and even though you might be able to predict the ending, you're there for the entire journey.

By the end of the film, you feel drained, as if you've gone through this experience with them, which is a testament to the writing, direction and acting.  

There is a heavy emphasis on God and religion throughout the film, so that's something to bear in mind. I personally had no problem with that, but I know that some might.

Overall, this is a lovely, heart-breaking story that I'd definitely recommend. It's on Amazon Prime Video, so give it a chance and see what you think!

7/10