Watch The Forgiving

The Forgiving is a 2020 independent drama film directed by David J. Stern and written by Stern and John Gerard Healy, who also stars in the film. The movie is centered around the theme of redemption and forgiveness, and follows the story of Michael, a man struggling to come to terms with a tragic event that occurred in his past. John Gerard Healy essays the role of Michael, a former soldier and medic who returns home from the war in Iraq with a traumatic brain injury. He struggles to cope with the aftermath of the war and the constant flashbacks that haunt him. In the midst of this turmoil, Michael is forced to confront an event from his past that has haunted him for years - a car accident that resulted in the death of a young girl.

Despite being cleared of any culpability in the accident back then, Michael has lived with a deep sense of guilt ever since. Through a chance encounter, he meets the girl's mother, Karen (Jenna Sokolowski), who is still grappling with the loss of her daughter. As they begin to spend time together, Michael finds himself drawn to Karen and her son, Max (Ryan Robertson), and starts to find some sense of peace as he helps the family with chores and other tasks.

Emily Classen plays the role of Abigail, a young woman who has recently arrived in town and starts working at the local diner. Abigail is immediately attracted to Michael and they strike up a friendship that blossoms into something more. However, Michael's troubled past still haunts him, and he struggles to open up to her about his past.

As Michael starts to reconnect with the world around him and rebuild his life, he is faced with the difficult task of seeking forgiveness from the people he has hurt. As he starts to make amends, he finds that forgiveness is not always easy to come by, and that some wounds may never fully heal.

The Forgiving is a poignant and powerful drama that explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. The film is beautifully shot, with stunning vistas of the small town where the story is set. The performances of the lead actors, particularly John Gerard Healy and Jenna Sokolowski, are nuanced and powerful, capturing the pain and anguish of two people struggling to come to terms with their past.

Overall, The Forgiving is a must-watch for fans of independent cinema and those interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships. The movie deals with heavy themes but does so with grace and sensitivity, making it a touching and deeply moving film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The Forgiving is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.