“Good Time” (2017) directed by Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, starring Robert Pattison, Benny Safdie and Jennifer Jason Leigh / Z-View

Good Time (2017)

Director: Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie

Screenplay: Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie

Stars: Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Barkhad Abdi and Laurence Blum.

Tagline: Are you ready for a Good Time?

The Plot…

Connie is a small time criminal who takes care of Nick, his mentally impaired and often violent younger brother.  Tired of struggling, Connie and Nick rob a bank.  During the getaway, a dye pack explodes ruining the cash and causing them to wreck the getaway car.  Now on foot, they are chased by the police.  Connie escapes.  Nick is caught.

Knowing that Nick won’t survive the night in lockup, Connie moves through New York City’s underworld, in an effort to raise enough cash to bail Nick out before his temper gets him killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Much of the movie was improvised.  Only Robert Pattinson and Benny Safdie were given scripts.  They other actors were given background and information about their characters.  The scenes were then improvised. The mall chase scene was done during regular hours.  The background characters were not actors and their reactions were real.

Benny Safdie is perfect as Nick.  He steals every scene.

Robert Pattison’s performance in Good Time is what brought him to Matt Reeves attention and made Reeves want him for The Batman.

Eric Roberts originally played the bail bondsman.  The scene was shot in Eric Paykert’s office.  Paykert is an actual bail bondsman.  The Safdies decided to reshoot the scene using Paykert as the bondsman.  Paykert’s real wife played his on-screen wife as well.

Josh Safdie said about the feel of the film: “We wanted to make a piece of entertainment that has a pulpy feel to it. The movie takes place in only one night. It’s a film like a dream, like a nightmare.” Mission accomplished.

Good Time (2017) rates 4 of 5 stars.