Nice Guy Johnny

Johnny (Matt Bush) is a nice guy, or a push-over, depending on how you see it. But he's also a pretty good character. Very handsome, sweet, and well, nice; he's a good romantic comedy hero.

It's basically a twenty-something finds himself romantic comedy. It's nothing you haven't seen before, but it is cute, funny and romantic. Matt Bush and Kerry Bishé have great chemistry and their romance is engaging.

Writer, director Edward Burns has both matured and gotten in touch with his younger self. He's no longer playing the main character in his romantic comedies, and here he has adequately written for a guy in his mid-20s. The plot and dialogue are obvious and predictable, but that's not necessarily a bad thing here. If you're looking for a twenty-something finds himself romantic comedy, then "Nice Guy Johnny" is certainly watchable.

This picture had some sweet moments. I'm actually o.k. with the lead looking so young and sounding even younger, because in real life he is the age that he was playing. That made things more interesting.

Even short, skinny, passive guys can find girlfriends. Especially if the guy is a gentleman. If the actor had been more "normal," this movie would have been more common.

The fiancée was also well cast. Not a beauty. Just a generic spoiled East Coast girl. Of course a controlling girl is going to choose a puppy dog guy.

While I am totally turned off by "free spirited" girls, I think the gal who played this did it quite efficiently. When she confessed that she had never been in love, I believed her. That was one of the poignant moments.

The reason this blonde went for this guy is because she had already been burned by the "player" type too many times. Even though he is a wimp, he's a good listener and trustworthy and that appealed to her. Plus, opposites attract. She could change him.

Having said all that, there wasn't sufficient character development. There had to be more background on how this guy became the way he is, what his parents are like, why he's wearing a cross, and why he likes sports.

Was he a frustrated athlete? We saw that he couldn't play tennis. Did he always wish he could be an alpha-dog like athletes? What did the blonde tennis girl mean about her dad wanting certain things for her? What happened with her ex in Los Angeles? Ed Burns turned in his usual almost-amoral player persona. That guy he always plays does however have a heart for those who are truly close to him. It would be easy to say that his character just wanted to have a partner in crime so he wouldn't feel guilty, but in truth, he saw that his nephew needed help.

There's also a terrific scene with an older actor who plays the lead's future father-in-law. The guy could not have made much money for this, but he gave it his all.

The photography is good, the plot predictable, and the length a bit too long, but the sweet moments redeemed this one and saved it from oblivion. T

I am a member of the "Team Edward" team (not the one you are thinking). I am referring to those that have always thought that Writer-Director Edward Burns is one of the most talented independent movie filmmakers of our generation. I know that "Team Edward" lacks membership; due to the fact that many critics and filmgoers have not been nice guys and girls to Burns by ridiculing his movies of the last decade. However, I still think Burns is tops when it comes to creating relatable characters going through emotional and romantic turmoil, and using the city of New York as an effective backdrop. Burns' screenplays speak the words of what real people say when they go through trials & tribulations with lovers, family, and friends. In his latest flick "Nice Guy Johnny", Burns still contributes the equivalent witty dialogue of his past independent movies, but the film's premise falls a little short on sheer entertainment value. Matt Bush stars as Johnny, an amateurish sports talk radio host in Oakland who is pressured by his nagging fiancé to go to New York to interview for a cardboard company administrative position against his wishes. Johnny's dream is to excel in the sports radio arts even though his fiancée Claire is not too clairvoyant by not supporting him on his career goals. Johnny does not make the cash flow that Claire is insisting on so therefore she literally ships Johnny to New York to interview for the cardboard position that was hooked up by Claire's domineering father. Johnny, who is originally from New York, gets to visit his parents in the Hamptons in his New York visit; and also meets up with his chauvinistic easy-going Uncle Terry. Terry, played by Burns, is the antithesis of Johnny. He is a womanizing, selfish, and manipulative lothario who has plenty of married female sexual partners who he uses to not only fulfill his sexual craving, but to also borrow their cars & homes at his "free-will". Johnny is initially reluctant to hang with Uncle Terry during his New York stay, but eventually decides to join Terry in a drive to the Hamptons. During their Hamptons stop, Terry introduces Johnny to Brooke; the tennis instructor of one of Terry's married female conquests. Brooke's beauty and bohemian ways attracts Johnny to her, even though he is set on his ways on being faithful to Claire. Will Johnny cheat on Claire? Will Brooke break the faithful tide? Is the cardboard job in the cards for Johnny? Well, you got to spend some time with "Nice Guy Johnny" to find that out. The premise of the movie is not too uncommon in film narratives of the romantic-comedy genre: a controlled dude in a relationship pressured by a self-centered female to bring home the bacon or else she will bail. But the premise is not the nice part of "Nice Guy Johnny"; it is Burns' genuine screenplay that plays a nice part to the story. Even though Burns has played the same scheming character in a few of his past flicks, I still think he was very good in his performance as Uncle Terry. Matt Bush overacted at times with his mediocre starring performance as Johnny, and Kerry Bishe was not OK with her monotone mode in her portrayal of Brooke. It is not one of Burns' best, but "Nice Guy Johnny" is nice enough to check out. **** Good

Johnny (Max Bush) lives in the Frisco area and has a late night job as a sports radio host. This is a position he loves. But, it doesn't pay well and there are no prospects for advancement. Therefore, he must abide by a promise he made to his overbearing fiancé. As his 25th birthday approaches, he will apply for a job in her dad's moving box manufacturing business, back in New York City. As he truly is a nice guy, Johnny believes in fidelity and keeping his promises. But, when he hits Manhattan and stops for a drink at his Uncle Terry's (Edward Burns) bar, he immediately is face to face with the opposition. Uncle Terry doesn't want him to give up his dream job, doesn't trust his fiancé and thinks his nephew is too young to marry. As Terry throws out statements trying to break Johnny's resolve, John stays true to his word. UNTIL, Terry takes him to a stay in the Hamptons, where he meets a beautiful tennis instructor (Kerry Bishee). Soon a conversation turns into a beer on the beach and so on. Will Johnny come around to his uncle's way of thinking? This intelligent, vibrant film is another winner from Burns, who acts, writes, and directs his work. Known for countless other films, like The Brothers McMullen, She's the One, Sidewalks on New York, and the great Looking for Kitty, Burns is in a class by himself. This viewer's only wish is that he continues to keep making movies until he can't stand up any more. The cast here, not well known, is great while sets, costumes, script and direction are absolutely wonderful. The only minor problem for some viewers will be the use of profanity, quite often. Nevertheless, if you can ignore this element, the movie is a great exploration of life's choices. NGJ is a more than nice, more than entertaining, and just right view for the near future.

NICE GUY JOHNNY is another offbeat, casual story written and directed by the inimitable Edward Burns. It boasts a good story, some very fine actors, and carries a message that we all too often forget. This is that polished little gem of a film that surprises the viewer with its quiet manner and message.

Johnny Rizzo (Matt Bush, a VERY promising your actor) spends his nights as a radio sports talk show host, a career he loves but one that his fiancée Claire (Anna Wood) feels is not a money maker and has made Johnny promise that if by age 25 he does not make at least $50,000. a year, he must go to work in a cardboard factory. That time has come and Johnny reluctantly prepares for his interview for the 'new job'. Johnny is nice, loves, Claire, but is frustrated at the promise he's made. Enter Johnny's philandering Uncle Terry (Ed Burns) who wants Johnny to stay with his dream of being a radio host and in order to try to dissuade the ardently faithful Johnny, Uncle Terry invites him for a weekend at the Hamptons. There Terry, unknown to Johnny, uses the home of one of his married 'regulars' and encourages Johnny to have a last fling before his upcoming marriage and before he goes for an interview for the cardboard job. Johnny is nice and respectful and will not jeopardize his relationship with Claire. But he meets a tennis pro Brooke (Kerry Bishé) and soon finds himself in an innocent but apparently compromising position with Brooke: Brooke respects Johnny's engagement status but finds him different and more real and honest than most men and tries her best to win him over. But Johnny rides the waves of discontent his night away form Claire cause, and at Terry's insistence and Brooke's influence makes a decision that changes his life.

The script is sharp, tightly written, and the acting by everyone in the small cast is first rate. Matt Bush is a very fine new actor who is able to stand his own with the pro Edward Burns very well. By the end of the film nice guy Johnny has completely won our hearts - and makes us wish we had the thoughtful courage of this lad to alter our own lives. Very fine film.

Grady Harp