Summary
Despite a rocky (and, if we’re being brutally honest, rubbish) start, Forever Rich gets into the story and vibe and switches to a film where you’re eager(ish) to find out what will happen.
This review of the Netflix film Forever Rich does not contain spoilers.
Forever Rich is a dutch film that tells the story of Richie, an aspiring rapper who is on the brink of success just before he may lose it all. Following the news that Sony Music wants to sign a $3 million music deal, his luck runs out after a gang, who call themselves the 1112 Street Soldiers, violently mug him for his gold watch and phone. They humiliate him further by filming the incident and posting it online. Therefore, Richie embarks on a mission of vengeance as he tries to regain the “street cred” he has lost. But will he lose his family and/or career in the process?
In all honestly, had I not been reviewing this film, I would have turned it off after 15 minutes. It was cringy to watch, and it didn’t appear as though it would improve. At first, even the lead character, Richie (played by Jonas Smulders), was extremely unlikeable, and it felt pointless watching a film where it’s hard to like the character who will be on screen pretty much all the way throughout. However, as it progresses, he becomes less annoying, and as an audience, you start to feel sympathy for him. (Which is likely down to Jonas Smulders’ acting skills).
Forever Rich takes a darker approach, and with undertones of gang violence, knife crimes, and revenge porn, it becomes a film worth investing your time in. It’s a shame that it didn’t focus as much on Richie’s relationship with Anna (Sinem Kavus), as otherwise, it could have allowed the ending to have more of an impact on the audience.
In comparison to the latest international releases by Netflix, Forever Rich doesn’t come across as well as Je Suis Karl. There’s still enough here, but, with its slightly silly nature in parts, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to suggest that Forever Rich could be more suited to a teenage audience.
Overall, Forever Rich deals with humiliation, redemption, revenge, and personal troubles whilst Richie, at all times, is desperate to succeed as a rapper in the Netherlands. As always, it’s best to watch Forever Rich in its native language, with the use of English subtitles.
