Review: Forever Is Now Is a Political Study in the Vein of The Thick of It, but with Ethics

Eamon Ryan is shown as a principled, likable, and hardworking figure in a brilliant portrait filmed during his service in the country's coalition government. Ryan Cam, even after you found the effect of its tilt a flattering portrait, presented him in the best possible light.

Eamonn Ryan is principled, lovable and hard-working in a brilliant portrait shot while serving in the country's coalition government.

Tuesday 13 October 2026 12.00 CEST Last change on Tuesday 13 October 2026 12.01 CEST

His documentary about former Irish Green Party leader and cabinet minister Eamonn Ryan reminded me of the political satire The Thick of It – but without the slurs and hapless politicians. Even after you factor in the skewed effect of a favorable portrait and cast him in the best possible light, Ryan comes across as one of the good guys: principled, lovable, and extremely hard-working. The film follows his final 18 months in Ireland's coalition government as environment and transport minister before he steps down in 2025.

The title is something Ryan's 25-year-old son Tommy repeats over and over. "Forever...forever...forever." Tommy is autistic and needs full time care. When Ryan resigns from the government, one of his reasons is to spend more time with Tommy. We see the pair in the neighborhood picking raspberries and walking the dog. But aside from glimpses of his wife, Victoria, the rest of Ryan's family life is kept behind closed doors.

Instead, the cameras follow him on the road, talking to angry residents of a flooded Irish town (again), and the uproar at the UN General Assembly in New York and two police conferences. Alongside him is high-powered media consultant Adele Hackett (an affable Malcolm Tucker), who navigates Ryan's daily deluge of online abuse, harassment and intimidation.

The film lacks a bit of context: perhaps an interview or two with Ryan might have been helpful, providing context for the police conferences and - for those unfamiliar with Irish politics - the ambitious climate legislation he implemented while in office. Something about eliminating the Greens in the general election in November 2024 would also be helpful. But watching Ryan's crumpled face in January 2025 as he packs up his office and watches Donald Trump's inauguration on TV doesn't need an explanation.