Daniela Forever review by Bobby Blakey
Director Nacho Vigalondo has showcased a unique vision with his previous films including one of my favorites Colossal. His latest film Daniela Forever steps with the world of virtual reality and stars Henry Golding, Beatrice Grannò, Aura Garrido, Rubén Ochandiano, and Nathalie Poza. Could this film take you into a new way to love or will it reveal the truth that is much deeper?
Daniela Forever follows Nicolás, grieving the loss of his girlfriend Daniela, who is consumed by sorrow. He sees a glimmer of hope when he's offered a chance to participate in a groundbreaking sleep therapy that simulates reality. But as dream and memory blurs, he must confront what healing really means—and whether he’s ready to let go.
Outside of knowing the cast and that there was some sort of virtual reality element to it I knew very little about this film. Heading in I am not sure what I was expecting, but the film is something of a mixed back of a lot of emotions coming together even when it doesn’t always work.
There is an interesting and deeper message here about love, life, control, and forgiveness that might get lost due to the pace. The first half of the film is slow and uneven, but I think intentional as it is trying to set a tone of his life and relationship. It is hard to get really invested early due to this pace and honestly almost bailed on the whole thing. What makes it somewhat interesting initially is the camera work. It shifts between what looks like a camcorder recording in standard width into a hi-def wide screen off and on based on the time in his real life and the virtual one.
As we spend more time in the virtual one, the visuals become more engaging, and the story starts to find its footing. There is a subtle change between happiness and discovery to the truth and revelations that affects both Goldings
character and the audience understanding of him and what has truly transpired. There is a grey area in the story initially to what really led to this big change in his life and in the end still leaves some to be worked out on your own.
By the time the film ended I was more invested than I expected and found it to be a beautiful and unique story that deals with real issues and makes you question what you think you know. The ending leaves it up to your own interpretation that might lose some after sticking with it, but I found it stayed with the narrative the film created from the beginning.
Decide for yourself and check out Daniela Forever when it hits Blu-ray and DVD October 21st exclusively through Amazon from Well Go USA.