I have to say when I read Karla's story, saw an episode of 'Law & Order' loosely based on it and found a movie had been done I thought it might be from the Lifetime network. After 2003's 'Monster', I didn't expect 'Forevermore' to play fair with the rules governing convicted female killers. This film doesn't feature a big star playing the titular role or go into the fictional realm. It does however play up it's religious, romantic and redemption themes to the hilt.
Crusty female "Prison Official" (writer, director Helen Gibson) makes a pass at preacher Dana Brown (Kenny Jezek), but his heart belongs to one woman. Convicted murderer Karla Faye Tucker (real life wife Karen Jezek) aka "pickax killer". Thru meetings, correspondence he falls in love with a soul he feels has been reborn into a higher spiritual power. Their bond becomes deeper, they marry as public sentiment, support grows as she awaits execution on death row until that fateful day and the aftermath is all that remains.
There's a lot of positivity is the nice way of saying things. Contrived scenes where Karla is shown to have changed thru the involvement of the lord & even the most hardened faces like prison lady soften their stance. Murky flashbacks hint to a time when Karla was on the wrong path making bad decisions. Obviously downplaying the murders (they're not shown) little mention of gruesome details. Choosing to focus on the bitter criminal justice system faces looking to impose a cruel sentence. Falling in love, talk of God. Get used to seeing her prison "cell", people laying on beds, sitting in offices for the majority of the 2 hour runtime.
Religious motivational speakers in prison, Karla's transformation, uplifting music. Not only am I the wrong audience for 'Forevermore' but I strongly disliked, disagreed with it's point of view. There's talk to be had about the death penalty and whenever it's right or wrong, but it seems people only get bent of shape when a woman is involved. I believe people can change too, but after you viciously kill folks ... that's not a conversation I'm interested in being a part of.