Following the death of his girlfriend Daniela (Beatrice Grannò from The White Lotus), Nicolas (Henry Golding of Crazy Rich Asians), the protagonist of Nacho Vigalondo’s Daniela Forever, descends into a profound depression. Grief clouds his daily existence, slowing time and dulling once-enjoyable activities. His dishevelled apartment, with piles of clothes and dirty dishes, reflects his lack of motivation. Living as a DJ in Madrid, Nicolas feels trapped, so when an opportunity to escape his tormenting memories arises, he is intrigued. Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, Daniela Forever presents an inverse take on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Rather than erasing memories, a pill enables him to create a false reality where Daniela is still alive. He can relive cherished moments and invent new scenarios by blending childhood memories with more recent experiences. While Vigalondo’s film boasts a compelling premise, the narrative ultimately falters, failing to maintain its momentum.
Golding and Grannò deliver commendable performances but are underutilised by this narrative approach. There are moments where Golding stretches his character's boundaries, portraying grief-driven decision-making that leads him down dangerous paths affecting both his well-being and that of dream-Daniela. Yet these efforts are stifled by a story seemingly uninterested in exploring such uncomfortable complexities.
