Like the great Jack Lemmon, Michael Keaton has always had an affinity for films that are not easily categorized as either drama or comedy. Goodrich is certainly more drama than comedy, but a seasoning of ironic humor gives it a valuable extra dimension.
Goodrich, the character, could be a stereotype: he's a guy who's spent too many years in love with his career (as owner of a chic art gallery), and not enough years showing love for his (2) wives or (3) children. The story focuses particularly on his 30-something daughter from his first marriage, and his two nine-year-olds from the more recent one. As the movie opens, Goodrich faces a confusing situation, and the challenges rapidly get tougher as the story progresses.
In strong contrast to many feel-good films having a roughly similar storyline, Goodrich doesn't offer easy answers or magical redemption. It shows life as a constant struggle, allowing us to cringe at the protagonist's failures, and feel warmed by his successes. The script is impressive, dodging many tired twists, and taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster.
Goodrich is an older character for Keaton, and one that's much less obviously appealing than most of those he's portrayed previously. But few other actors could have made Goodrich so rough and prickly, and at the same time so sympathetic. We really want to see this guy succeed, despite his at times almost unforgivable flaws.
Some viewers may be put off by the rambling style of the movie. But the narrative is actually very cohesive - like real life, you have to let it come at you at its own lurching pace. Good things happen, bad things happen. Some of these things Goodrich - the character - handles badly. Others much better than we might expect. (In its realistic ambiguity, Goodrich - the movie - reminded me quite a bit of Jack Lemmon's least-comedic film, Save the Tiger.)
Given the late release of Goodrich in 2024, one might assume that its creators had some Oscar hopes. Keaton, having been criminally overlooked by the Academy so far, certainly deserves a nomination. So does the script... and possibly Mila Kunis as well.
Goodrich is top-notch in just about every way. It isn't a movie for everyone, or for every occasion - it's emotionally demanding, and as tragic as it is inspiring. But when you're in the mood for that kind of movie, you'll find Goodrich to be among the best of its type.
