Goodrich

I didn't find this movie has much to say: for me it was mainly about a bunch of unhelpful noisy people making a good-hearted man's difficulties worse. I felt sympathy for Dad, but failed to find much point in seeing his efforts flounder. It was like sitting through a gathering of bickering relatives that mostly make you want to leave the gathering and go sit somewhere else.

Can't complain about the acting. It was persuasive. I just complain about my being there. I decided to finish watching while I washed the dishes. Kinda suited to mood of the movie.

My advice is; go find something else to watch.

Andy Goodrich gets an abrupt phone call in the middle of the night, changing his entire world. His wife has checked herself into rehab, leaving him to figure out his life outside of his art gallery. As he stumbles and fumbles with her 90-day absence, every aspect of his life starts to unravel, which gives him a new perspective and appreciation of his life and its relationships.

This dramedy shows how some people may lose sight of what is essential, pursuing a career that does not love them back like those in their lives. The story is simple and is shared with a bit of humor and a bit of drama. It takes the viewer through the 90 days, showing how Andy Goodrich adapts and changes to his circumstances and learns along the way. With a runtime of one hour and fifty minutes, the story does an excellent job of moving along but has parts that stall and slow it down. This is a unique watch, but it is worth waiting for it to arrive on a streaming service than paying for a movie ticket.

Goodrich starts off somewhat disjointed but gradually finds its stride, especially towards the end. The film offers several heartwarming moments, but the first act suffers from excessive exposition that feels forced and unnatural. Rather than relying on dialogue-heavy scenes, the story would have benefited from showing more of the evolving relationship between Goodrich and his eldest daughter, Grace. Unfortunately, too much time is spent on the somewhat irrelevant dynamic between Goodrich and Michael Urie's character (Terry), which detracts from the main plot. Additionally, the film struggles with balancing serious moments, often interrupting them with forced witty dialogue that undermines the emotional impact. Despite its flaws, "Goodrich" manages to deliver a somewhat satisfying finish, though it could have reached deeper emotional heights with better pacing and character focus. For a sophomore directorial effort, it was satisfactory.

"Goodrich" is a movie with its heart in the right place, yet it struggles to fully deliver on its emotional promise. Michael Keaton shines in his role, showcasing his ability to balance vulnerability and humor, while Mila Kunis provides a solid performance that adds some depth to the family drama. Their chemistry offers glimpses of what the movie could have been if its storytelling had been tighter.

The film stumbles with its uneven pacing and a script that feels too predictable at times. While some scenes carry genuine emotional weight, others fall flat, bogged down by clichés or an over-reliance on sentimentality. The mix of humor and drama occasionally feels forced, as if the movie is unsure of the tone it wants to maintain.

Visually, "Goodrich" makes good use of its Los Angeles setting, with a warm, polished aesthetic that fits the movie's themes of family and personal growth. The score is pleasant and inoffensive but lacks the kind of memorability that might elevate key moments.

Overall, "Goodrich" is a decent watch for its performances and occasional heartfelt moments, but it doesn't leave a lasting impact. It's a safe, middle-of-the-road film that's enjoyable enough for a quiet evening but unlikely to stick with you long after the credits roll.

Andy Goodrich's (Michael Keaton) life is upended when his wife and mother of their nine-year-old twins enters a 90-day rehab program, leaving him on his own with their young kids. Thrust into the world of modern parenthood, Goodrich leans on his daughter from his first marriage, Grace (Mila Kunis), as he ultimately evolves into the father Grace always wanted.

The story is not just about Keaton growing into being a father, it's about him growing every time life throws him sideways. I guess the whole story, with negative event after negative event coming at him from all sides, tearing at who he is, is about him fighting back quietly and stoically and overcoming everything life can bring that's dark. He improves himself into a version that multiple people can love, and he finds what is really important in life instead of spending all of his energy on work. Keaton's performance is brilliant and justifies the writer and director's (Hallie Meyers-Shyer) decision to write the film for him. He is ably backed by Mila Kunis who proved she can do serious acting as well as the comedy she is well known for. Vivien Lyra-Blair as his daughter Ellie deserves a major shout out for her great performance. She's been around for several years now and she just keeps getting better and better.

All in all a great film which says to me "Don't ever give up. Always strive to overcome and move forward." Most of us over a certain age already know this but it's great to have a reminder, and a one done so cleverly and emotionally. A thoroughly enjoyable film with great performances by everyone and I gave it a 7.