MOVIE - THE GOOD GIRL - Review Rating $$$$$ $ (OUT OF 10)
STARRING - JENNIFER ANISTON, ZOOEY DESCHANEL, JAKE GYLLENHAAL, TIM BLAKE NELSON, JOHN C. REILLY & MIKE WHITE.
Yet another movie involving a married woman having an affair.
The Good Girl's originality, is supposed to derive from the fact that the affair involves a coworker who believes he is Holden Caufield, the narrator of the book "The Catcher in the Rye". Holden, in both fictional forms, is much put upon and misunderstood by the world around him.
In the movie, the emotional fragility and intensity of Holden, is supposed to provide the adulterous relationship with a justification that it otherwise doesn't merit. These are, according to the movie, two wounded and misunderstood people helping each other become whole. The problem is that the relationship just serves to remind us of the selfishness of Aniston's character. Toying with the feelings, of such an obviously troubled individual, is not something someone with a conscious would do. A marriage counselor would have been a much simpler solution.
From my perspective, the main fault with the movie, is its focus on the outcome of the choices made by Aniston's character, rather than the consequences of such behaviour. Its not that the movie doesn't acknowledge that adultery has repercussions. The problem is that it suggests reckless disregard, for anything but your own emotional needs, is not only justifiable but ultimately may lead you to your personal nirvana. To say more would give too much away.
Another problem, with the movie, is a real disconnect between Aniston's character and her narration of the story. Aniston's character is portrayed as a High School graduate, who's never even heard of "The Catcher in the Rye", let alone read anything more weighty than People magazine. Yet, as the narrator of the story, she is imbued with the insight, wisdom and descriptive language of a talented, world weary scribe. The narration and the character, are distractingly out of sync, and point to The Good Girl's pretentiousness.
The Good Girl is also oddly paced. Though it has a relatively short running time of 93 minutes it seems much longer at times. I say oddly paced, because I can't think of anything that was included, that should have been left out. Perhaps its just a case of what's there not being that interesting.
Aniston does a fairly good job of making you forget her last eight years as one of the stars of the T.V. show Friends. Every now and then, though not often, Rachel Green's persona rises to the surface. This is partly the result of the fact that its hard for Aniston, to downplay her cover girl looks sufficiently, and the fact that at times the characters really aren't that different. All in all, her performance was a pleasant surprise, with Aniston demonstrating that she is a multidimensional actress.
There are two other bright spots in the film. The supporting cast is excellent and believable as the misfits who populate the Retail Rodeo. The film's portrayal of the emotional brutality of a career, at Retail Rodeo, hits the nail on the head as well. The audience can connect with these characters because they exist in the real world.
The Good Girl, was a Premiere Selection, at this year's Sundance Festival. I can't concur. You might.
Alternative Reviews:
http://www.rollingstone.com/mv_reviews/review.asp?mid=2044353
http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-good16f.html
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheGoodGirl-1115664/reviews.php
Official Website:
http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/thegoodgirl/index.html
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2003
David Schwartz.
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8/9/03; 11:05:59 PM.
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