... maybe then (although I couldn't swear it) you'll enjoy what I find best described as a pathetic parody of one. Let me see, what is it again that I've heard some narrow-minded opponents of "independent" film-making say about it ? Boring movies about boring lives, boring situations in boring places; characters with nothing more to offer than despair and/or depression and with whom, as a result, you just cannot empathize at all; suicidal teenagers; unhappy hence naturally adulterous wives of alcoholic or otherwise addicted husbands; harmless and not-so-harmless morons... Hey, you know, what ? This movie has it all !!! Which I wouldn't mind if, say, it was a conscious exercise in parody or actually had something to say about film-making, but I really don't think that is the point here: it's just an independent movie made by someone who actually believes (and enjoys ??? go figure) that they're all about what I listed above ! The single redeeming feature of this movie is Jake Gyllenhaal whose part as an angst-ridden teenager is almost as enjoyable as the one he had in Donnie Darko; as for Jennifer Aniston, she isn't bad (actually, I usually like her) but definitely won't save the movie. My conclusion is: if you like Jennifer Aniston, just go (re-)watch some "Friends"; if you like Jake Gyllenhaal, just go (re-)watch the excellent "Donnie Darko" - a movie where teenage angst was put to good cinematic use as opposed to being just one ingredient in an insipid, indigest indie-flavored mush.
Review of The Good Girl
