The Good Girl

Well this ended up being better than I was expecting as it wasn't the usual Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy (which all tend to blend together). Aniston is still another version of Rachael Green just more bored and depressed here. She does put on a great southern accent though, and outdoes herself in the wardrobe department, donning ugly sweaters and unflattering mom jeans throughout.

The movie is plugged as a comedy but honestly its fairly depressing, just kinda miserable and cheerless throughout following 'Justine' a frustrated 30 year old wife and grocery store cashier who is bored, depressed, stuck in a dead end job and married to a stoner (John C. Reilly). Her life changes when she begins an affair with a co-worker, (Jake Gyllenhaal). The story didn't at all go where I was expecting it to, entering some very dark areas.

Gyllenhaal does a great job here, he is young, intense and crazy. I also enjoyed John C. Reilly, as the husband, he's always the "nice guy" and is here too. Zooey Deschanel's character was very funny and probably the only ray of light in this. Lots of decent acting from sub characters though including John Carroll Lynch as the manager of the Retail Rodeo grocery store -which is where much of this movie takes place, the boredom and mundaneness was well represented there.

A bit of a surprise hit for me. 7/5/15

"The Good Girl" is a captivating film that navigates the complexities of human relationships with a unique blend of dark humor and poignant drama. Released in 2002, this indie gem directed by Miguel Arteta stands out for its strong performances, thought-provoking narrative, and refreshing departure from conventional romantic comedies.

Outstanding Performances: The cast, led by Jennifer Aniston in a departure from her typical roles, delivers exceptional performances. Aniston's portrayal of Justine Last, a discontented discount store employee, is a testament to her versatility as an actress. Supporting performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, John C. Reilly, and Zooey Deschanel add depth to the ensemble.

Nuanced Storytelling: "The Good Girl" explores the human condition with nuance and subtlety. The narrative delves into the struggles of small-town life, the consequences of unfulfilled dreams, and the complexities of infidelity. The film's willingness to tackle dark themes sets it apart from typical romantic dramas.

Cinematic Craftsmanship: Miguel Arteta's direction, along with the cinematography by Enrique Chediak, creates an intimate atmosphere that complements the film's themes. The use of muted colors and subtle lighting enhances the overall melancholic tone, providing a visual representation of the character's emotional struggles.

Character Development: The film excels in character development, allowing the audience to empathize with the flaws and dilemmas of the characters. Justine's journey, in particular, is a compelling exploration of self-discovery and the consequences of life-altering decisions.

Pacing Issues: Some viewers may find the pacing of the film to be slow, especially in the first act. The deliberate pacing, however, contributes to the film's contemplative atmosphere and allows for a more in-depth exploration of its themes.

Ambiguous Ending: The film concludes with an ambiguous ending that might leave some viewers craving a more definitive resolution. However, the open-ended nature of the conclusion aligns with the film's overall tone and thematic exploration.

"The Good Girl" is worth watching for its authenticity, tackling of unconventional themes, and the standout performances of its cast. It's a film that invites reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of happiness. The willingness to defy genre expectations and deliver a story that lingers in the mind sets it apart as a memorable cinematic experience.

"The Good Girl" was heavily touted as the film that would help Jennifer Aniston break from her Rachel persona and make the leap to dramatic film actress. There was even talk (however brief) about an Academy Award nomination for her when this film came out. Surprise, surprise, but that didn't happen. And where has Aniston's film career been since? "The Good Girl" is leaps and bounds better than any of Aniston's other ventures into film--bland crap like "Picture Perfect" and that other movie whose name I can't even remember--but it's not a great movie in and of itself.

Aniston does a pretty good job, but you still can't escape the suspicion that she's just playing Jennifer Aniston, albeit a drabbed down version of herself. This movie's greatest asset is its supporting cast, particularly Zooey Deschanel in a very funny, dead pan role as a fellow worker at the Wal-Mart-esquire store Aniston's character works in, and Jake Gyllenhaal, who had begun his trek to stardom the year before in "Donnie Darko." The gods were being kind to Gyllenhaal in 2002, as he got to make out with both Aniston and Catherine Keener ("Lovely and Amazing") in the same year.

"The Good Girl" is certainly worth watching. It captures that nowheresville feeling of small-town America perfectly, the antithesis of every Frank Capra movie on the same subject. Instead of a cosy town where everyone knows your name, these towns are instead full of bored, restless people sitting around waiting for something, anything, to happen.

Grade: B-

After watching the Good Girl, I now know why Jennifer Aniston was getting a lot of praise. I'm surprised she didn't get an Oscar nomination. She was very good in this because the character is nothing like her character from Friends, and she was very convincing as the bored wife in a small town who hates her job and is depressed by her stoner husband. But, I have to say her accent was not very good. Why do these actors who have never lived in the south think everyone sounds like some slow hick.

This movie is a lot more entertaining than you think just from a quick synopsis of the plot. Justine starts an affair with a young co-worker who becomes obsessed with her and turns out being mentally disturbed. The decision she makes at the end about turning left or turning right was just well written and directed. And the movie does have light laughs with the blackberries when Justing decides to buy some for Holden. And the fact her husband is always stoned with his buddy, Bubba, watching TV. But, the part where Bubba blackmails Justine into sleeping with him was just creepy because her husband is his best friend. I just didn't get that part because I don't think the character would have done that.

FINAL VERDICT: I recommend this. Don't be fooled because it doesn't have a bunch of explosions and gun fights. It is very good and a lot more entertaining than most films.

Jennifer Aniston excels as small town cashier, stifled in a rudderless marriage and miserable at her boring job, who has an affair with a younger co-worker, leading to a series of confounding personal events. Black comedy is initially bright and biting, subtle about its comedic elements and characters while gently satirizing the middle class aesthetic. Unfortunately, the film takes a wrong turn late in the second-half and never quite recovers, leading to an emotionally unsatisfying finish. The performers are all terrific, especially John C. Reilly as Aniston's pot-smoking husband; but, as the screenplay loses steam so do the actors, and the final events are mechanically offbeat--engineered to be quirky. **1/2 from ****